It is a little over a month into the start of school year, and love is blossoming all around campus. It is so cute to see couples waiting for one another to come out of class or hear, “I miss you babe,” coming from a lonely lovebird after a grueling 50 minutes of solitude.

Love, however, is fragile. And it does not take much to turn the passion of the moment to contempt at Christmas and loneliness on Valentine’s Day. To ease heartache later in the year, follow these relationship rules.

Trust

Trust is the most important relationship rule, because it is the rule that allows you to have a life outside of your partner.

I always feel pity for the miserable fool who is out with his or her friends and constantly has to answer phone calls or respond to text messages. It is sad that he or she always end up going home at 11 p.m. just to finish the argument with his or her partner by 3 a.m.

Breaking the trust rule is the most nonsensical, for if your partner did not want to be with you, he or she would not be.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the hardest rule to keep, especially when dating someone; since people think there is no incentive to forgive.

I always get irritated when I hear, “If he ever cheats on me, his butt is gone.” Why? If you have an expectation to be treated 100 percent fairly in a relationship, then the only relationship you are going to have is with cats.

You and your partner are going to say and do things that hurt one another. Do not get me wrong, some transgressions can hurt for a very long time, but if you are willing to forgive – and your partner understands forgiveness takes time and effort on their part – the relationship will become stronger and you can avoid starting all over again.

Romanticism

You know why your grandparents can sit in a room all day and not say a word to each other? Because they have stopped doing kinky things for one another.

The funniest benefit to being in a relationship is being comfortable with your partner. Granted, it has been a long time since I have been in the early stages of a relationship, but from what I remember, it was full of neuroticism: “Is it ok if I do this?” and “I wonder if she likes that?”

The instructions for the Romanticism Rule is to use it every chance you get. There is no greater of a sign to a failing relationship when a headache stops you from expressing your love. I know when my wife has a headache that just means it’s time for Dr. Brooks.

Before you get into a relationship, you must be independent and open to commitment. If you cannot make it on your own, then you have to resolve your baggage before you can take on someone else’s. And if you just want to be on your own, that is perfectly acceptable, just do not lead on someone else for a piece of booty.

If you want a relationship, be prepared to work. There is no secret combination of traits that you and your mate must possess, only the commitment to get past life’s inevitable obstacles together.