Anyone who's married or for that matter in a longterm relationship will tell you that it's a combination of love, patience, understanding, passion and forgiveness that makes a realtionship work. There is no perfect relationship. There is no perfect marriage.

Of course, there's times when you think he could have tried harder but then again, there's times when you could have tried harder too!

There's a substantial difference between being stubborn and not backing down just to save face and your genuine belief in something that you're standing up for. A wise old friend of mine once said "If you don't stand for something - you stand for nothing!" (Think about it).

It can be tricky enough at times when there's just the two of you but add kids, a mortgage, job loss, wage cuts etc., to the equation and it gets a whole lot like a pressure cooker.... and something will blow.

It's actually quite healthy to have a row from time to time and clear the air. There's nothing worse than an adult sulking!! If you've something to say, well, say it... You'll feel better for having said it and sorting it out. Don't allow things to fester because what started out as something small will just end up being blown out of all proportion.

No-one said life was easy. No-one said life was fair. If you work at something it will get better - fact! The more work you put into it, the better it gets. So, what can you do for your loved one this evening or weekend? Plan a surprise for them, something unexpected but that will be appreciated. It could be as simple as breakfast in bed, a lie-on this Saturday, collecting him from his night out with the lads, filling the dishwasher or washing the floor, renting her favourite DVD & watching it together with a bottle of wine...

It's genuinely the thought that counts and you'll make someone's day for them. Go on, their worth it!