How Do You Love?

Love is different for every couple. Some relationships are full of sparks and passion after decades. Others may fall into a comfortable everyday cycle and over time lose that lust they once had for one another. In fact, experts say there are six different ways you can be in love, and over a long period of time yours may evolve.

Knowing which category you fall under can help you evaluate your own relationship. It can help you have more realistic expectations and worry less about where your relationship is headed. For instance if you understand that it's normal for a loving couple to have a platonic relationship you won't be as concerned when there aren't any fireworks. Determine your love style, and learn how to maintain a healthy happy relationship.

The romantic

You love being in love. You can be swept away by your lover's new look or hobby. However you may also be disappointed when those looks change with age, or when looking back at the way things were.

Try and remember that true love doesn't recede with his hairline, and that romance isn't "supposed to" fade. Go on dates together, weekend getaways, or vacations for just the two of you to rekindle that spark in your relationship. Even if you end up bringing the kids on that weeklong getaway, it will likely bring you all closer together as a family. Besides, the kids have to go to sleep sometime.

The list-maker

You have standards that are important to you in a relationship, and you refuse to change, or let them go. Even if you are in a committed relationship. You may be putting too much pressure on your partner to live up to your requirements and desires.

Let go of the list. Clinging to those must-haves could mean a strained relationship or a lonely life. Ultimately, the important things are companionship, love, and a capacity for forgiveness. Not the things that impress others. After all you're the one who has to live with him. Remember why you feel for him in the first place, and if you intending on changing him from the get-go maybe you're with the wrong person.

The obsessive

You want to spend all your time together, and you are constantly worrying about the status and security of your relationship, even when you've been together for years and your man gives you every reason not to. This can be overbearing and drive your significant other crazy and possibly even out the door.

Don't over crowd. Try and realize that too much of a good thing can be too much of a bad thing. Talk to your man, it might help you both understand why you feel so insecure and help you find ways to put your relationship in perspective.

The giver

You give more than you get. You're constantly working selflessly to meet your partner's needs and desires, but you're forgeting to look after yourself.

It's important to have a life outside of your relationship. Develop your own interests and follow up on them. Cultivate your own friendships so that you're not always hanging out with other couples, and reserve time to do things solo that you enjoy. It gives you something to talk with him about too. And won't make you so resentful when he runs out the door with his friends.

The player

You love the catch of the chase. You're easily bored in long-term relationships, and have a serious case of the roaming eye.

Avoid situations that lead to infedelity. Take the temptation out of your life completely. Instead of looking for excitement outside of your relationship, try doing new things with your partner, so you can see a different side of him.

The pal

Love creeps up on you both. One day you think, "Wow, I've been spending a lot of time with Jack lately," then, all of a sudden you realize you're in love with him and have been for a while. In the long term, your relationship may be quiet, but it's strong.

Don't let your thing get too boring. You need to have those moments of romance. Planting a passionate kiss on him once in a while shows him (and reminds you, too) that you think he's sexy.

So, what kind of lover are you?