Love is one of life’s most basic needs. However: it is also the most elusive. Love becomes complicated when we mix it with other factors such as, peer pressure, idealism, and fantasy. We should put all these things into their proper perspective to co-exist with love. Let us clear up some of the mystique behind this elusive giant.

Some people fall in love with the idea of love and exclude the person they profess to love. Others love each other with two different kinds of love. Moreover, some people use the name of love to cover up emotional, Physiological or sociological tendencies.

A romantic person can make an emotional mountain out of the faint spark of a casual relationship. Most of the relationship is played out in his or hers mind with little help or reciprocation from their mate.

There are many signs of this type of relationship. You will find that the romantic is the sole contributor to the relationship, although the partner may make a minimum contribution for conscience or appearance sake.

The romantic might buy tickets for a cruise and the partner may purchase the wine. The romantic does not understand why his or her partner does not sit back and enjoy the ride; after all, they are doing most of the work. This relationship usually ends when the partner becomes bored or finds someone that they choose as oppose to someone who chose them.

The romantic should stand back and measure the compromise and sacrifice of his or her partner. Emotions can easily smother rational thinking. The overly romantic should surround themselves with sensible people and keep them in the loop. They should ask for play-by-play advice. Their mentor will see things that he or she will miss.

Often, when a person says, “I love you,” they are requesting a contract or an agreement. The contract is made once the other person responds, “I love you to.” Like every contract, the terms should been defined. Every recipient of love should ask three questions: “What kind of love do you love me with, what are you offering to me, what do you expect from me?

There are several kinds of love recorded in the Bible. One type is agapeo love. This type of love is a commitment type of love. It takes very little emotion but a lot of commitment and discipline to function in this type of love. The first marriage was based on the agapeo type of love. Adam and Eve expressed very little emotions toward each other. Rather they shared a sense of duty and commitment to their cause to multiply.

Later in the Bible, you can read where passion played a significant part in other relationships for example, David and Beersheba, Jacob and Rachel. The next type is agapa love. This is the affectionate type love you find in fairy tales. Trouble arises when visions of an affectionate love lures a partner from a commitment type of love. Idealistically, an affectionate love develops from a commitment type of love. Sometimes an affectionate love motivates a commitment type love. A person may be attracted to someone outside of the relationship. A person may label that attraction ‘love’ to provide a socially acceptable excuse to breach their prior commitment. However, these are not all the types of love these are the most common.

Dating is most enjoyable and fulfilling when both partners are free from emotional, sociological or physiological baggage. People who love to cling to things can project that to people. We all develop an emotional history when we date. Songs, scenery and places become emotional landmarks.

Some people want to freeze time despite what the desires of their partner. That is abnormal. The person holding on will use the label of love to justify their desperation to hold on no matter what. This converts a selfish act into a valiant gesture. People who are insecure will most likely say, “I love you.” When they mean “I feel secure with you, please don’t take that away from me.”

Women have a natural ability to nurture. They may say, “I love you,” when they mean, “I want to mold you into the person I see in my head.” This type of women is can develop control through manipulation.

A successful love is based on a clear understanding of the type of love agreed on and a commitment to work at it despite outside persuasions. Leave nothing to chance. Communicate honestly and frequently. Each person is responsible to provide the other with emotional updates on their feelings about the relationship. In the mean time, each person should work on his or her own disciplines and issues before making a commitment.

1. Bury a time capsule together with trinkets and love letters to each other. Draw a map with an X marking the spot. Store the map in your safety deposit box or in another safe place. Dig it up in 10 or 20 years.

2. Create a music disk of love songs, fun songs or songs that remind you of each other.

3. Plant a post-it note or two in a book your love is reading. Write “I love you,” I want you,” or “XOXOXO.”

4. Go to a photo booth at the mall together. Fool around while having your photo taken. Keep the photos in your car or at work for when you need a fun pick-me-up.

5. Plant a tree together and talk about how you will carve your names in it with a heart in 20 years.

6. Go to a coffee shop – just to sit together and talk. Or get coffee to go – go for a long scenic drive together.

7. Be naughty, play hooky together. Do whatever you want together.

8. Send your love at letter at work. Disguise it in a business envelope. Make it happy for a pick me up, loving for romance and naughty if you’re planning a date that evening.

9. Heart shaped notes – use one at a time or 20 at a time. Plant little messages throughout the house or garage to add a thrill.

10. Pick up some dipping chocolate and strawberries or cherries at your local grocery store. This makes an incredibly romantic dessert for two.

11. Drive for an hour or two just to have a picnic or stop at a restaurant you’ve never been at.

12. Name a Star together. When you’re apart you can look up at your star and know someone is out there waiting for your safe return.

13. Use glow in the dark stars and a black light to create a romantic night sky inside.

14. Create a spa atmosphere at home. Candles, essential oils and burners, mood music and massagers or other relaxation products can be purchased at almost any department store or bath shop.

15. Godiva, the fine chocolate maker, has developed wonderfully tasting chocolate liquor. Use wine glasses to serve it for dessert.

16. On a special night, dim the lights and put on soft music. Then, undress leaving a trail of your clothes from the front door to the bedroom; just before your love is about to arrive home.

17. Sit by the fire together roasting marshmallows.

18. While your love is taking a shower, sneak in and write, “I love you!” on the steamed mirror.

19. Make a puzzle of a love letter or brochure for a surprise getaway. Send a piece to your love everyday until it’s complete. Or leave a piece on the table or dresser everyday.

20. Make a tape recording asking your love to meet you somewhere or tell them how much they are loved.

21. Next time you’re walking anywhere, grab your love’s hand or walk arm and arm.

22. Make a “Prescription for Love” on the computer. Fill it out using words like: take two doses of love and come see me now or take with kisses twice daily. Use an empty medication bottle without the label, inside you can fill with heart candies or erotic messages.

23. Plan a surprise anniversary party for your love.

24. Leave a Hershey’s Kiss where it will be found with a note, “I’m thinking of kissing you.”

25. Just call to say, “I love you,” “I’m thinking of you” or “I miss you.”