Relationships can be difficult at any age. Sometimes it feels like you are riding on a roller coaster and always waiting to fall down the next hill. Or you may feel you are walking on eggshells with your partner, afraid to speak your mind sometimes.

Communication is the number one problem for relationship failure. You need to have total trust in each other from the start. There can be no lies. Remember that lies always come into the light eventually. Be open and honest with each other. Share in all that you do. If you need to hide something it is probably not the right thing to be doing.

When either of you has a problem, talk it out. Do not hold things inside – they will just build up to an argument or lead to depression. A ready solution may not always be available, but you can work things out the best you can and decide what steps you need to take to assure your relationship stays golden.

Always think of the other person. Don’t just think of satisfying yourself – in whatever you do – and you will both be much happier. If you prepare a cup of tea, ask if your partner would like one too. If you grab a snack, ask what your partner might like. When watching the telly together, decide what you both might like to watch. Then you can cosy up and have some popcorn.

Everyone needs their alone time at some point. Maybe one of you likes to garden while the other one mows the lawn. Or perhaps you are a do-it-yourselfer and have a project you want to take on, while your partner might want to read a good book and relax. This is perfect. Don’t expect to want to do everything with each other 24 hours a day. That would just make you tired of each other’s company.

But when the alone time is done, you can surprise your partner with a nice bubble bath and candles. Or maybe a bottle of wine and some chocolates to indulge in. If your love is true and strong, nothing will come between you. Just have the trust that is necessary for a great relationship, and the love that will hold the whole thing together.

Spending time together in public can also strengthen your relationship. Just go out and watch a sport that you both enjoy, or do something fun like enjoying an amusement park or water park together. These crowded places are a great atmosphere to feel close to your partner and enjoy having someone close to you.

By taking yourselves out of the home and into a change of scenery you’ll find the conversation flows more freely, away from the constraints of routine and familiar surroundings.

Oh dear – I do feel for these people who write in with their dating stories!

I am 56 years old and in the best shape of my life. You might find that hard to believe, but prior to last year, I was always working. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to run my own business and retire at a relatively young age. Younger than most, anyway. I now go to the gym four days per week, I go kayaking once per week, and I play in an Over 55 softball league, which is known as a senior league. I’m really into the softball league since softball has always been my passion. And now that it’s an even playing field, I’m really excelling again like I did in my 20s and 30s.

What I’m looking for is someone with similar interests. I would love to find a woman who is passionate about something active. It doesn’t need to be working out, kayaking, or softball. As long as it’s related to a healthy lifestyle, I would be interested. It’s also okay if she were married once before. If it’s twice before, I’ll have to pass, that’s too much drama for me.

Sounds like an easy request, doesn’t it? Yes, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Based on my past experiences, all of the best women are still married. The men who are married to these women aren’t stupid. They know a good thing when they see it. However, I know there are a lot of other great women out there. And this doesn’t only pertain to staying healthy. I’m talking about women who have a good heart and are also caring and friendly.

It sounds like I want the world, doesn’t it? Of course I do, I’m human. And I’m 56! I might have plenty of time left, but it’s not like being 25 when you think you’re going to live forever. I want the best out of life. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. And as far as my past goes, I have never been married. I was engaged once in my early 20s, but I found out that my fiancée did some very bad things at her hen party.

Some guys might think this is okay, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to trust her and couldn’t live the rest of my life thinking about that. She was definitely the love of my life. On one hand, I think I should have talked her out of having that party. On the other hand, it was better to find out what she was like before we got married. Now I’m on the hunt for the next love of my life. I hope I can find her!