Think through your relationship even if you are head over heels in love. Talk about everything. Expect hiccups in the relationship. Learn coping strategies to deal with problems together. Talk to people who have had failed relationships and successful ones. Success is not a secret. It leaves behind clues. Learn each others flaws and talk about how to accept each other as they are. Don't go into a relationship thinking the other person will change or you will change them. Expect that they will change invariably though on their own terms. Be ready for that change. Talk about your philosophy, your expectations, goals, financial values. Explore together, have fun together. See if you are compatible, not perfect.

-Sowmya Sridharan