Valentine's Day Special (Part III) - Finding lasting love?

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Love is a partnership of two unique people who bring out the very best in each other and who know that even though they are wonderful as individuals, they are even better together.

- Barbara Cage

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Original article: Crucial characteristics of lasting love

1. Physical appearance
- Physical appearance and attraction draw two people together at first.

2. Emotional maturity
- Is this person emotionally mature and centered or still lugging around some trunk-sized baggage?
- How does your sweetheart relate to family and friends?
- Is he or she emotionally supportive or have control issues?
- Is he or she aware of his or her own issues and interested in addressing them?

3. Lifestyle choices
- Career and social lives, common interests, leisure time activities, and energy levels.

4. Financial compatibility
- Income levels, savings goals, and views on handling money.
- How do you each want to spend, save, and invest?
- Is one person a spender while the other saves? Is one person financially responsible while the other plays catch-up with child support and bills?

5. Value structure
- The big values: honesty, integrity, loyalty, views on family and children, religion and spirituality, life goals, and the treatment and care for others.
- Does your mate follow through on promises made? Would you say this person is trustworthy? Will you always be there for each other in a pinch?

6. Marriage and intimacy
- What do you and your mate expect from marriage? Is he or she looking for a soul mate?
- Do you both want close intimacy beyond the physical aspect, including with your friendships and in private communications with each other?

7. Intelligence
- Having similar education levels increases your chances of sharing matching school and social experiences, intellectual interests, and career goals.

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It's a wonderful journey, one that needs a key; and the key to happiness is excitement for the future.