Love is unique for everyone. You can’t expect something that works for one couple to work for ALL of them, right? Of course not!
When you’re in a new relationship, it can be tempting to ask friends and family for advice so you don’t mess things up.
And while some of it might be sound advice — things like don’t go to bed angry or always communicate with each other — other things may not work for your particular relationship.
Or it could just be plain BAD advice. It happens.
One of your friends might be a passionate person that finds that arguing with her significant other actually makes things better. But just because her relationship operates this way doesn’t mean you need to have yelling matches, too.
In fact, no one but you and your partner can make a relationship that is all your own. Learning to make your own rules in a relationship is how you make it last.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, but if it’s yours, then nothing else matters.
In her new book, Radical Acceptance, The Secret To Happy, Lasting Love, Andrea Miller writes that love is hard. Of course it is, we all know that.
But she also talks about how learning to make your own rules (and following them) is what helps love stick around.
You don’t have to be a wizard that can poof any arguments or flaws away, and you definitely don’t have to shout “I love you” from the rooftops every day just to make your significant other happy, but if you put in the effort and if you tell each other that love – and not just love, but YOUR love — is going to work out, then guess what? It does.
And when you learn to love the way you want to – even if that means making the rules up as you go — then you learn to find happiness and ease that can only come from true, strong, lasting love.
Love is life’s greatest gift, which is why people have a passion for love quotes - and we’ve got you covered. When it comes to saying “I love you”, the truth about marriage, or even finding the perfect love quote for your guy, we have all the cute (or sexy!) quotes you need.
On making love your own.
"Love is your own; no one but you and your partner can make a relationship that is all your own. Learning to make your own rules in a relationship is how you make it last, even if it isn’t perfect." — Andrea Miller
On understanding the difference between changing and loving.
“You aren’t expected to change who you are, but you have a powerful opportunity to listen, reflect, and take steps to make him feel more loved by you.” — Andrea Miller
On understanding your partner.
"Love means really trying to understand your partner and honoring your differences.” — Andrea Miller
On loving your partner no matter what.
"Love means doing things for him that you don’t necessarily love to do but you do for his sake." — Andrea Miller
On finding flexibility in love.
“Love means being proactive, generous, and flexible in your relationship." — Andrea Miller
On committing to love.
"Commit to small measures every day, but also commit to some bigger ones—especially where you are feeling reluctant.” — Andrea Miller
On loving your partner because you want to.
“Love him and do things for him because you want to, not because it’s your turn." — Andrea Miller
On loving others as they want to be loved.
“Love others as they wish to be loved.” — Andrea Miller
On the key to love.
“The key to staying in love is to develop the ability to overlook the negatives and focus on the positives.” — Andrea Miller
On staying in sync.
“Keeping your intentions, thoughts, feelings, and actions in sync means that you rarely have to calibrate how to express yourself in a particular situation.” — Andrea Miller
On being successful in love.
“People who are successful in love tended to have the courage to be imperfect.” — Andrea Miller
On expecting change.
“Harboring an expectation of change from your partner is one of the most dangerous ways to treat the relationship.” — Andrea Miller
On respecting your partner's needs.
“Everyone’s needs are different, and rarely is anyone ever fully right or wrong in a relationship." — Andrea Miller
On the science of love.
“Love is not an exact science. There often are not easy answers. But you can derive strength knowing you practiced Radical Acceptance.” — Andrea Miller
View More Galleries
Couples you definitely don't want to be a part of.
I'd like to believe that I would have time to curl my hair in the apocalypse.
Think you know all of Hollywood's power couples?
Looking for an interesting way to turn up the heat?
YourTango may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through links featured in this article.