Pet names like “Baby” or “Sweetheart” are a cute way to show your affection for your partner. Try not to overdo this, however. It can be a major turn-off if you call them “Mr. Cuddle-Bear”, especially in public. Of all things, good communication is the vital part of any relationship, so make sure that they know how much you like them. Regular lovey-dovey texts and emails can be a plus, but too many will become overwhelming and you may seem clingy. These types of things do show you’re into them, and you want it to last forever, but don’t come on so much that you scare them!
Make them something by hand. A paper flower, an artsy heart, something creative that reflects your personality, so that whenever they look at it, they’ll think of you and smile. If you’re the musical type, or play an instrument, feel free to play them a song or two (bonus points if you play a song you wrote yourself). Add a private video of your song to YouTube.
If they’re out with their friends, don’t text them every two seconds to make sure they’re not talking to other girls. This will only make your partner see how little you trust them.
You don’t have to take an interest in all of their interests. If they enjoy watching baseball but you just can’t get into it, that’s fine, too. Just asking about their interests and talking about the things that matter to them can be enough.
In times of hardship, a team approach can help you to work through problems in a less emotionally attached way, in that both of you assume responsibilities for fixing things rather than expecting one or the other to fix things. Avoid having a “one track” relationship in which the bond revolves around one thing. Keep your relationship strong by bringing variety and diversity into the relationship. Try different and new things together. Relationships are about having fun together, learning together and growing together.
Though you can bring up a valid criticism when it feels right, you should say at least four positive things about them for every negative thing you say. Don’t nag them just because you’re in a bad mood or things aren’t going perfectly.
You don’t want to be that girl who always gets her way just because your partner would rather give in than stand their ground because you get so angry and upset whenever things don’t go your way.
You should support your partner if they just want to have a night out with their friends instead of trying to intrude. It’s important to allow your significant other to have time to spend with their friends and hang out without you. If you feel entitled to all of their time and attention, learn how to not be an obsessive girlfriend. Don’t be an overly protective girlfriend; let them go out without them feeling watched. Remember that they don’t need you for everything and that you are separate people as well as a couple. When they need some space, don’t take it personally–recognize it for what it is–their time to rejuvenate and to share different interests with others. But do make sure they know that you’re always there for them. They need to know you will always be there.
Don’t push them to classify your relationship too soon. You don’t have to have the label girlfriend or boyfriend after a couple of dates; this risks causing them to feel that the decision wasn’t their own. Be patient and let them make up their own mind as to when the definitions, like going steady, exclusive relationship, serious dating etc start being bandied about. If the two of you are compatible, your relationship will develop soon enough. Don’t start talking about marriage or starting a family before you’ve even met their close friends and parents. Raising such issues prematurely can create tension from the outset and may stall or even bring to an end an otherwise productive and caring relationship. Don’t feel the need to show off or impress them. You don’t need to prove anything to them; you simply need to be present and engaged in listening, being attentive and sharing your interests.
If they actually say such things to you in a badgering, persistent manner, then it is not love, but an attempt to control you. Don’t pretend that you share their interests if you don’t. It might be amusing or “safe” to do so initially but it’s extremely hurtful when they learn that you don’t really love what they love; they could be basing their thoughts about your role in their future on something that isn’t real and it’ll end up hurting both of you.
