Why Is Dating Important?

In the past, arranged marriages were common, and families chose the appropriate husbands or wives for their children. As years passed, society has moved away from the arranged marriage concept to dating. Dating holds many advantages by allowing partners to evaluating both physical and emotional attraction between each other and showing potential red flags which may signal an unhealthy relationship . Dating may better prepare couples to make informed choices about long-term relationships and marriage.

Common Interests

One of the most obvious reasons people date is to find out what interests they share with the other person. The saying opposites attract doesn't hold much weight in the dating world. Each person should have their own interests, but if two people hate the activities the other one likes then they'll never find anything to do together. It also limits what a couple can talk about when interests fall on opposite ends.

Life Goals

Life goals may not seem important at the start of a relationship, but soon the couple should know what each person wants. Both short-term and long-term goals matter. For the short term, couples will want to know if both people want an exclusive relationship or if one prefers an open relationship. This in itself can make or break even a casual relationship. Later on if the relationship gets serious, couples should know what they both want to do in life. If a man wants children and a woman doesn't, this will cause stress on the relationship later on.

Views

Views on everything from religion to politics may play a part in a relationship. The important factor is not so much what each person believes, but how different these beliefs are and how devoted each person is to the beliefs. Two open-minded people from different religions may have no problems in a relationship. On the other hand, two people whose religions teach they should not date outside their religion may feel guilty or have trouble with the relationship.

Red Flags

Dating also shows someone what the other person acts like on a day-to-day basis. At the start of a relationship, a person may appear sweet and caring, but over time red flags can appear. An unhealthy relationship often shows more and more signs as time goes on, and dating allows people to watch out for these signs. Disrespect, emotional abuse, jealous tendencies and a person who angers easily and becomes aggressive are all red flags that signal an unhealthy relationship.

Physical Attraction

Finally, dating allows two people to judge their physical attraction to each other. Physical attraction alone will not make a healthy relationship, while a good personality alone does not guarantee happiness either. For a relationship to work, both people need to find the other interesting and attractive at the same time. Days may come where one person doesn't quite feel the spark, but it shouldn't go missing permanently.

(Source: ehow.com)

How to Marry The Right Man

Do you feel you have found the right man. Are you nervous about getting married. Are your friends telling you this is not the man for you and you want to be sure. Well here are some tips to help you out.

1. Don't marry just for looks, marry for the personality as well. Don't get me wrong looks are important but you are going to be with this person for the rest of your life. We buy cars because of looks but every couple of years we trade it in.

2. Watch how your man handles conflict not necessarily with you but with other people. How he treats other people is how he will treat you eventually. How does he talk to his parents on the phone if he can't respect his own parents how can he respect you.

3. Watch how he interacts with children. One day you will want to have kids it will be helpful to know rather or not your man loves children. If you already have kids watch how he interacts with the kids.

4. Does he clean up or do he expect you to clean up. This may be fine in the beginning but after a while you will get frustrated with cleaning up after every one in the house with no help. Your man can always say to you, when you married me you knew I didn't cook or clean so don't try to change me now. That's why you need to pay attention to what you want now.

5. Write down everything you want in a man in a personal journal and review it every chance you get. Even have a picture of what you want him to look like as well. The law of attraction will draw what you want to you if you can visualize it enough.

(Source: ehow.com)

How to Become the Woman Your Man Really Wants

You may have this sense that you are just not the woman your man wants; it continues to bother you and you are not sure what to do about it. You want to make changes, but are not sure how to proceed. Here are some thoughtful ideas on becoming the woman your man wants you to be, both internally and externally.

1. Research his interests. Compile and review a list of the interests that your boyfriend/husband has. Think about how much time you take sharing these interests with him. If it is not much time, determine how you can change it. For example, if he loves basketball, get tickets for both of you to a game.

2. Friendship comes first. Visit a bookstore or check out the Internet and read up on those interests. The more you can converse on topics of interests to him, the more opportunities for you to connect. The basis of a great relationship is friendship.

3. List your assets. Take a personal inventory. Make a list of your interests and what makes you special. If you don't feel good about yourself, it will be difficult to become the woman that your man wants, or that any man wants. The key to becoming that person is to exude self-confidence. An assured woman is the kind of woman every man wants.

4. Keep your options open. The most unattractive thing to a man is a woman who believes that she desperately needs him and only him. Keep your own life, your own interests and make it clear that you have your options open.

5. Take good care of yourself. Making yourself look terrific sends a message about how you feel about yourself and the world. Take the time for good grooming, and to make yourself feel extra special; buying yourself a fantastic outfit or treating yourself to a spa day should do the trick.

(Source: ehow.com)

How to Make a Relationship More Romantic

Relationships are borne out of caring and nurturing acts. Relationship beginnings come naturally and are laden with romantic expressions and settings. Love relationships thrive on intimacy and romance is a big part of that. Making your relationship more romantic is all about recreating the world that first brought your relationship together.

1. Create a relaxed environment. Stress, activity and tension are not conducive to romance. Creating a relaxed living environment, or bedroom environment is important. Loud color schemes and clutter tend to keep the atmosphere on edge. Dimmer lighting may help a loud color scheme while candlelight is even better. Being able to come home to a relaxed environment is a good first step towards relief from the stresses and tensions of the day.

2. Elicit and maintain eye contact. That well known saying, “The eyes are the windows of the soul,” is a pretty accurate road map when it comes to drawing out your partner’s genuine self. Eye contact is an instinctual and sensual experience that creates an intimacy all its own. Eye contact is something that can be practiced throughout the day, not just when there’s time for romance. Establishing a connection, or vibe is where romance begins. Eye contact makes this easy to do.

3. Give and encourage touch. Love pats, and soft caresses can go a long way towards creating romance in your relationship. Romance is as much about promoting innocent touches as it is the more sensual ones. Touch is another way of connecting with your partner, similar to eye contact, but through a different set of senses. Gentle and even casual touches throughout day keeps that romantic connection alive.

4. Talk about and nurture each others' interests. Words spoken can create a mood and destroy a mood quicker than anything else that goes on in your relationship. Use words, and what you talk about to each other, to your advantage. Asking questions about the things your partner is interested in, initiating activities your partner enjoys or just listening to him or her talk brings you closer together. Expressing an interest in your partner for who they are breeds intimacy and intimacy invites romance.

5. Laugh as often as possible. Romance in a relationship doesn’t have to be confined to certain times, or scheduled circumstances. Having fun together, even if you’re doing yard work, or painting the house, is a good way to maintain closeness in your relationship. A romantic relationship is something that’s nurtured in simple caring ways whenever two people are together. Not unlike your courting days when everything was fresh and new, romance can come naturally. Laughing as often as possible eases your time together and allows romance to bloom.

(Source: ehow.com)

Advice on Relationships

Every relationship is unique, with its own rhythms and cadences based on the two people involved. But no relationship survives on auto-pilot. Both parties need to work toward making each other happy, commit to the relationship as a whole, and acknowledge their needs as individuals as well as a couple. The specifics may differ, but the basics never change. By applying a few simple tips, you can make the road to happiness much easier to travel.

Communication

1. Couples who don't talk to each other are usually doomed. For a relationship to flourish, the two parties must maintain open lines of communication. They need to be able to speak openly and respectfully about their feelings, without bottling them up. When problems arise, they need to discuss them. When one partner needs a break or a little support, he or she should ask for it. Communication should be a two-way street. You need to listen when your partner has something to say and should expect the same treatment in kind. Openness between the two of you can't help but strengthen your bonds.

Friendship

2. Romance is the spice of life, but a relationship needs to thrive on more than candlelit dinners and walks in the moonlight. Sooner or later, you're going to be sitting on the couch with each other on a dull night without much to do. If your relationship contains as much friendship as romantic attraction, that won't be a problem. You'll be able to chat with each other about interesting things, participate in different activities together and just enjoy each other's company. As with most aspects of a relationship, friendship needs to come from both parties. Be a reliable and supportive friend to your partner and your partner should do the same for you.

Goals

3. When entering into a relationship, it helps to define the goals you have for it. This includes both broader, long-term goals and simpler, more immediate goals. You should discuss them with your partner as the relationship is forming and make sure you both have compatible goals. Then, as the relationship grows, think about ways you can move toward those goals. Look at the big stuff and the ways you're both planning for it, then find little things you can do each day to make the process easier. Let your partner know that you appreciate his or her efforts, for example, or surprise him or her with a little present every now and then. Those little steps matter, and move you closer to achieving your goals as much as the bigger ones do.

(Source: ehow.com)

How to Create a Romantic Date

You know someone fascinating and beautiful, someone who ignites your desire for passion, and they feel the same about you. You've asked her out on a date, and she's accepted. Now you have to plan the details of your romantic date. No matter how much money you have, your personality and experience, or your limitations, it is possible for you to create a romantic and memorable date to express your love and appreciation for that special someone.

1. Check your budget. Calculate how much money you can spend and avoid going over that amount.

You may want to take your date to a five-star restaurant or out on the lake in a yacht. However, if your budget constraints means you can only afford a trip to the the movie theater or local coffee shop, with a little ingenuity you still have the opportunity to give your date a memorable experience.

2. Know your date's interests and personality. Extroverts enjoy crowded places and energetic conversations, while introverts often prefer quiet, intimate surroundings and activities that require a minimum of contact with strangers. If your date enjoys the outdoors, consider taking a hike through a local park or putting on some boots to go creek-hiking. If your date is an artist, consider a local poetry reading, museum or art show.

3. Set a location. Avoid the awkward, indecisive moment of deciding where to go after meeting your date by deciding a location beforehand. If you're going to a popular restaurant, make reservations at least an hour in advance. If you're going to a location outdoors, create a backup plan in case of bad weather. Consider staying at home and making a home-cooked meal, but only if you know your date well and you've established a rapport of trust.

4. Give a personal gift. Use your creative talents to make the date memorable. If you're a wordsmith, write a poem or a short story for your date. If you're a musician, compose a song. You can also try making a flower arrangement, baking a dessert or mixing your own margaritas. Your date will appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness gone into crafting a personal gift.

5. Lose all expectations. Get rid of any preconceived notions of what a romantic date should be and enjoy the moment. Avoid the mentality that your date owes you anything for your efforts or that a romantic outing should be a fairytale experience. Be prepared for any unscheduled changes in your plans. The focus should be on the person with you and not the surroundings.

(Source: ehow.com)

How to Know if Someone Likes You Romantically

This is one of the most annoying things to have popping up in your mind all the time. You want to find out, but don't know how to go about doing it. Sometimes the direct approach is best--just ask. But if that seems too bold for your liking, look for the following signs.

Behaviour:

1. Pay attention to your conversations with the person in question. Does this person show a special interest in having a conversation with you and, once started, make an effort to keep that conversation going?

2. Is this person "accidentally" running into you in places where he or she knows you will be, such as at your desk? At the Laundromat on Tuesdays? At your brother's birthday party?

3. Make a note if he or she mentions future plans to spend time with you: "That band is coming to town soon. We should really get tickets."

4. Spend time alone together. Canceling other plans in order to be with you longer, or not finding excuses to leave, could be a sign of interest.

5. Has he or she been calling for random reasons, such as, "I was wondering if you knew what that pizza place down the street is called," followed by, "Are you hungry?"

6. Has this person taken a sudden interest in your life and hobbies? This is a sure sign that he or she is interested in something - and it's probably not your stamp collection.

7. Observe how the person acts around your friends - he or she might be extra friendly to your closest pals for a reason.

Body Language:

1. Sometimes seeing someone you have a crush on results in telltale physiological signs. Does the person in question blush when you look at him or her? His or her sympathetic nervous system is probably going into overdrive. Does he or she have trouble speaking, using jumbled words when talking to you?

2. See if the person in question mirrors your motions: When you lean back, he or she leans back; when you put your elbows on the table, he or she does the same.

3. Note whether this person sits or stands in the open position - that is, facing you with arms uncrossed. In addition, a woman tends to cross her legs in a man's direction.

4. Does he or she move closer to you and/or touch you subtly, such as with a pat of your hand or a touch of your cheek?

5. Other elements of body language include frequent eye contact, holding your gaze and looking down before looking away, energetic speech coupled with open hands, and flashing palms.

6. Does the person you're wondering about just plain smile at you a lot?

(Source: ehow.com)

How to Have a Happy Love Life

When you first fall in love, it can feel like your entire life is in harmony. You feel totally connected to the other person and you want to spend every waking moment with him or her. You haven't yet noticed the other person's flaws and it's as if the sun rises and sets with this new love in your life. Unfortunately, this phase doesn't last. The newness eventually wears off as reality sets in. The good news is that with the right mindset and attitude, you can keep the magic in your relationship.

1. Decide that you are going to have happy relationship. Anything that you ever do will begins with a thought. Visualize yourself and your partner in a happy and healthy relationship.

2. Handle conflict in a loving way. Every couple has disagreements. The way you handle them will help determine the success of your relationship. Don't insist on being right. Instead, focus on understanding your partner's point of view and be a good listener. This will help keep your partner from becoming defensive and he or she will appreciate being heard.

3. Be responsible for your own happiness. Understand that it's not your partner's job to make you happy. In the early stages of your relationship, your partner may feel flattered to know that you depend on him or her for fulfillment, but after a while, they will feel drained and suffocated. True happiness comes from within. Be your own source of happiness and that will make your relationship much sweeter.

4. Don't be consumed by jealousy. This can do serious damage to a relationship. The poet Maya Angelou once said that jealousy is like salt. In small amounts, it can add spice to a relationship but too much is unhealthy.

5. Don't take your partner for granted. Remind yourself why you fell in love with this person in the first place. Focus on your partner's positive attributes and remember that no one is perfect.

Tips:

- Spend quality time alone with your partner.

- Compliment your partner.

- Be supportive of your partner.

- Don't dwell on previous disagreements. Let them stay in the past.

- Don't nag your partner.

(Source: ehow.com)

How To Forgive Your Boyfriend "Love"

It really is tough to forgive your boyfriend when they have done something to hurt you so bad. But if you really love your boyfriend you must realize that they are not perfect and they make mistakes. If they are coming back to you apologizing and making a REAL effort to get you back than why not give them a chance, because they probably really do care for you like they say and are sorry. Sometimes it’s not best to just throw away the history the two of you have built over one situation. You can forgive your boyfriend and actually build a stronger and better relationship this go around just by knowing how the correct steps to take when forgiving them. We have all been in this position where it was hard to forgive someone you care about and you are torn in forgiving them and not.

I’m here to tell you it’s turned out very good since I’ve forgiven my boyfriend and have some awesome information on how to do it the right way where it will totally turn your relationship around for the better. I was recommended this information by a friend when they seen how hurt I obviously was by losing someone I cared about but I also wanted them back but didn’t want them to believe that it was okay the way things happened. So I decided to take a look at it and was shocked by the information and It worked out exactly as it said and now our relationship is GREAT!

(Source: articlebase.com)

How to Make a Relationship Work

1.
Decide to love. Infatuation is typically what sparks loving relationships, but the excitement fades and warm feelings diminish unless both partners make conscious efforts to uphold their companionship. Once love is established in a relationship, actively expressing love to each other will maintain and increase the loving feelings in both partners. Conversely, refraining from expressions of love allows one's devotion to dissipate. If you are aiming for a long-lasting, successful marriage, you need to commit to your partner's emotional well-being, even when it isn't easy.

2.
Communicate about anything and everything. Have deep and meaningful conversations once in a while. Discuss what's going on in your lives right now, whether social life, school life, or family life, and learn about each other's pasts and childhoods. Celebrate accomplishments, encourage goals and ambitions, and explore each other's values and beliefs. Share your deepest thoughts, needs, wishes, hopes, and dreams. Know each other inside and out.

3.
Establish trust on all levels. Mutual trust is founded in respect and loyalty toward each other. Strive to understand and respect your differences. Share and clarify your differing perspectives, and try to empathize with each other's point of view. In some cases, it is better to simply agree to have differences of opinion or your own ways of doing things. Pressuring your partner to do something that they really don't want to do, or neglecting or abusing them (whether emotionally, verbally, physically, or sexually) undermines your ability to trust and rely on one another. You should be able to trust each other in everything, keeping private your partner's innermost secrets, fears, and struggles.

4.
Support each other. Be there through the good, happy, sad, and bad times—no matter what. Be willing to provide hugs, kisses, and emotional comfort in all circumstances. If your partner resists your attempts to comfort them and declines to talk about it, you should ease off of the subject and wait until they seem to be in a better mood before returning to it. Feel like you can count on each other; be reliable and loyal, and be emotionally available when you need each other most.

5.
Be completely honest with each other. A truly emotionally intimate relationship requires open and honest communication. Keeping secrets from your partner creates a barrier between you that limits your mutual emotional trust. Honesty can be scary, but if you want your relationship to thrive, then you both need to become comfortable discussing your feelings, insecurities, and frustrations.

6.
Spend time together. Carve out date times for togetherness as a couple. Spend time talking with each other and going out on dates, and doing other relationship-building activities. Really get to know each other and build a connection between you that's strong and enduring. Make an effort to see each other (in-person) and talk on the phone maybe once a day or every few days.

7.
Spend time apart. Be independent and keep your sense of self, never losing yourself or your voice in the relationship. Don't suffocate each other. You should each continue to grow as individuals—not just as a couple. You should have your own space, too—physically and emotionally. Do your own things separately once in a while. Spend time with friends and family, and by yourself pursuing hobbies and other things. Just ensure that no other relationship or pursuit crowds out your partner from being your first priority.

8.
Settle disputes peacefully. Apologize, forgive, and make up with each other. If you threaten to break up with each other after every fight or argument, you will never really resolve anything. Take breaking up off the table. Talk through disagreements as long or as many times as it takes until the issue is resolved and both of you feel comfortable moving forward.

9.
Keep most things private between you two. When your partner shares with you and confides in you (emotionally and physically), resist the urge to disclose sensitive details to anyone without permission. You should treat it as something special, personal and private between you two, out of respect for your partner. A relationship is between two people—you and your girlfriend or boyfriend (or spouse), not anyone else. Don't involve others in intimate matters, however close you may feel to them.

10.
Make continual efforts to maintain your relationship. Work on it. Work hard at keeping it positive, upbeat, healthy, and the very best it can be. Work on it every single day. Whatever you can do to improve your relationship or make it healthier, do it! Try thinking about, and then doing, at least one thing each day that will make life a little easier, brighter, or better for your other half. By challenging yourself to do at least one nice thing for your partner every single day, you stay focused on keeping your love front and center.

11.
Be romantic. Romance is essential to have at least some of the time. Candles, candlelight, compliments, stargazing, watching the sunset or sunrise, fireworks, romantic bubblebaths, showers, and romantic dinners are good ideas. Make some things you do and some places you decide to go to on dates romantic.

12.
Remember that every person, couple, and relationship is different. Don't compare your relationship to anyone else's—not your parents or other family members, friends, coworkers, that couple whose relationship seems perfect, etc. Every couple makes their own love rules, love agreements, love habits, love routines, and so on. Just focus on you two and making your relationship the best that it can be.

13.
Show affection. Hold hands, kiss, hug, cuddle, snuggle, or wrap arms around shoulders or waists. Become close and really comfortable with each other physically and emotionally. Share every part of yourself (your heart, mind, and soul), not just your body.

14.
Remember that intensity of emotion can ebb and flow over the years. There may be times when you are less aware of your loving feelings, more into your own interests, perhaps things have even become a little routine. Those are the times to remember all the wonderful things you have done together, and still want to do. You choose to feel committed and close, so when you feel yourself drifting or taking your love for granted, plan a romantic date night, do something special for your love, and just remind yourself of all the wonderful qualities he or she possesses that made you fall in love in the first place.

15.
See family as one, not two. Include each other in decisions. One's worry is the other's, because both will be affected by it.

(Source: wikihow.com)