Every relationship starts out in the oh-so-wonderful honeymoon stage, but believe me, that is not permanent. Each couple is different and moves at various paces, but for the most part, at about the six-month mark couples begin to hit some weird relationship milestones.

1. Farting in front of each other
This milestone is one that every couple is going to encounter whether it be one week into the relationship or one year, it is inevitable. Farting in front of your significant other is a huge step in building comfort and trust. If you are comfortable enough to pass gas in front of your partner, then your relationship is bulletproof. Nothing can break the bond of two people who are truly at ease with the idea of letting one rip in the same vicinity as the person they love.

2. Peeing with the door open
Peeing with the door open is a milestone that usually comes shortly after farting in front of your boyfriend or girlfriend. Opening up the door while using the bathroom is essentially opening up the door in your relationship that leads to all things weird, but you’re totally okay with that.

3. Popping each others pimples
Popping each others pimples is a milestone that may seem totally disgusting to outsiders, but it is a necessary step in a relationship. Sometimes you get those pesky back pimples that you simply can not reach and you need your significant other to lend a hand. Absolutely no shame in this milestone what-so-ever.

4. Borrowing each others clothes
You know you have hit a major milestone in your relationship when your boyfriend or girlfriend finally lets you borrow their favorite pair of sweatpants that they have basically kept under lock and key since you started dating. This step right here shows that your S.O. (significant other) trusts you, and trust is the main building block in every relationship.

5. Wearing no makeup
This milestone is another groundbreaking milestone that shows trust and security between two individuals. A woman often times wears makeup to hide her insecurities, so when she takes off her makeup in front of her partner she is completely letting her guard down and putting all of her insecurities out on the table. Usually in this case men don’t even notice a difference, but to a woman it can be a very daunting task.

6. Sharing all of your passwords
Sharing all of your passwords with your S.O. is the biggest test of trust God has ever created. This person now has access to every single picture, video, message, tweet, and Facebook post you have. You officially have zero secrets and pretty much are an open book whether you like it or not.

7. Moving in your toothbrush
Moving in your toothbrush to your partner’s house is usually a good sign that things are going well. Until you guys move in together (see milestone number 10), you might not always have a toothbrush handy when it is time to go to bed, so having one there permanently solves all your problems. This milestone is often times a prerequisite for moving in together.

8. Sleeping on opposite sides of the bed
Cuddling always looks cute and romantic in movies, but in real life it can get cramped and sweaty. I don’t blame you for not wanting to sleep as the little spoon every single night. I totally get it, being trapped in someone’s arms and having them breathe hot air down your neck all night is neither fun nor romantic. Unfortunately, most couples think that cuddling is required in a relationship. The sooner you realize it is not crucial to the quality of your relationship, the better off you and your sleeping ability will be. So roll over to your respected side of the bed and catch up on some lost sleep.

9. Getting a dog together
Don’t even get me started on having babies, raising a dog with someone is enough of a milestone. Often times in a relationship a couple will adopt a dog to see if they are capable of keeping more than just the plant in the living room alive, and this is often a precursor for having children. Getting a dog is a lot of responsibility, it takes time and patience. Training a puppy is never easy and could potentially but a strain on a couple’s relationship, but in the end it will help strengthen their communication, forbearance, and will bring them closer together.

10. Moving in together
This milestone is truly monumental and deserves a round of applause. Heck, it deserves a damn standing ovation! Moving in with your S.O. is seen to be one of the biggest breakthroughs in a relationship. Living together in theory sounds like a blast, but at the end of the day it is definitely not all fun and games. Moving in together takes communication, compromises, and the ability to let someone eat your leftovers from last night. The key to making moving in together work is making sure you give the other some alone time now and then. I bet you’re super awesome and all, but we all need some space once in awhile.
 
If you haven’t reached any of these milestones yet, you just wait because you are in for a treat. Leave a comment telling us which milestones you and your significant other have reached in the comment section below! 

When your dating life isn’t going as well as you may have hoped it would, who better to turn to for advice than the woman who has been successfully married for over 60 years. My grandmother grew up in a much different time than I did, she dated during the 50’s which is not at all similar to how it is today. Back then they had no Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, or any dating apps; they had to actually go out and meet people, or pick up a telephone and call someone. However, that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t still have the best advice for when it comes to all things dating, so let me share with you some of her words of wisdom.

1. Be true to yourself, don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
You want this person you are dating to like you for who you are, not for who you are pretending to be. Being true to yourself is the first step to a long and healthy relationship. It builds honesty, trust, and loyalty.

2. Be honest.
Honesty is key, but a white lie here and there never hurts as long as it will benefit the other person. When my grandmother found out that her boyfriend (my grandfather) liked livered bacon, she decided to make it for him for a week straight. However, about 50 years later he finally admitted to her that he always hated the way she made livered bacon, but would eat it anyways because he knew she was doing everything in her power to make him happy. In this case my grandfather told a white lie, but it was just to keep my grandmother from getting upset. 

3. Never go out if you’re in a bad mood.
This advice seems so simple, but is actually so important. If you go out when you are in a bad mood or aren’t feeling so well then you aren’t going to be much fun. Doing so would just drag your date down and leave him or her with a bad impression of you. That could in turn result in them not calling you back for a second date.

4. Don’t be afraid to make the first move.
My grandmother met my grandfather at the bank that they both worked at. She always had a little bit of a crush on him and would walk by his desk often. One day she decided to go up to him and ask if he want to go to a beach party on Saturday night with her and some friends. He said yes and the rest is history…

5. Don’t let jealousy get in the way.
Being able to trust your significant other is one of the most important things in a relationship. With out that trust you will run into many problems along the way, one of those problems being jealousy. If you truly trust your partner then there should be no need to feel jealous when they are off somewhere without you.

6. Give and get.
Don’t be selfish. You can’t always have things your way, but 50 percent of the time you can! Make sure that in a relationship you are always making compromises, this is key to establishing a strong connection with your partner.

7. Listen and understand.
Being able to listen and understand your partner is truly an important quality to have. There is so much you can learn about your significant other by actually sitting down and listening to what they have to say. When you’re talking to them make sure that when they are speaking you are actually listening intently and not just thinking of what you are going to say next.

8. Don’t be too serious on the first date.
First dates shouldn’t be a challenge, and if they are then that person probably isn’t for you. You should be with someone who you can feel a somewhat immediate connection with, and someone who makes you feel as though you can totally be yourself without the fear of being judged.

9. Be able to put your foot down.
Do not let your significant other walk all over you, that is the recipe for a toxic relationship. You can say no to whatever you want whenever you want, it is not a crime. If you’re partner isn’t able to accept no as an answer, then they aren’t the one for you.

10. Find out the little things.
Its amazing how much the little things truly matter in a relationship. Find out what kind of music they like, what their hobbies are, or what kind of food they like. Talk about each others interests and find out things you may have in common.

11. Do things that you both like.
Doing things that you both like will make hanging out so much more enjoyable for you both. Definitely venture out when you can and try new things, but never drag your partner to do something that you know they will hate. Find that common ground to ensure a long and healthy relationship.

12. Play a little hard to get. 
My grandmother was the queen of playing hard to get! She would wait weeks for my grandfather to call just because she didn’t want to be the one to call him first. She did this to see if he truly liked her and actually wanted to hang out. But keep in mind, you should not do this for too long or else your partner may begin to think that you do not care for them which is clearly not the case.

13. Don’t drink too much when you go out in public.
This may be more grandmotherly advice opposed to dating advice, but definitely good advice nonetheless. Drinking too much while you and your date are out in public together can make for a sloppy night and bad memories. This is especially important for the first few dates because you want to make a good impression. 

14. Be able to set the tone and shape the relationship.
You need to make sure that you both have the same expectations for the relationship. It is always helpful to make sure that you both want some of the same things. Sit down and have this conversation. Maybe you are looking for a long time commitment while he may just be looking for a summer fling. Be clear about what you want.

15. Let them order a meal for you.
Not only is this a fun way of getting to know each other, but it is also good for your partner’s wallet. My grandmother often did this with my grandfather during the beginning stages of their relationship because she never knew how much money he had on him and didn’t want to order something too expensive.
 
Have any of your grandparents given you any useful dating advice? Share in the comments below! 
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