Q:  Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I’m anxious. I’m romantically challenged and have no clue what to do for my wife. Can you help?

A:  Valentine’s Day in our culture can be a bit intimidating, but the definition of romance is very simple. Romance means, “You matter to me,” and can be expressed in small or large ways. To help you send this simple but meaningful message to your wife, here are 10 ideas:

Q: I am very frustrated because my husband doesn't listen to me anymore about anything.  It's like I'm talking to a brick wall.  I'll tell him something several times and a few days later he'll say, "You never told me that."  I can't take it anymore.  Any suggestions?

Q:  The holidays are coming quickly and I am feeling overwhelmed again. Each year I promise myself to not get caught up in the “holiday have-to’s.” But by the time New Years Day rolls around, it’s all a blur. I’m not sure I’ve enjoyed anything or anyone, especially my husband. What can I do to make this season different?

Q:  I consider myself to be a pretty good listener, but whenever my girlfriend is upset and starts to cry, she gets mad when I try to help her. I don’t get it. What does she want from me?

Q: For some reason, I can’t seem to get my husband to do what I ask him to. Whether I ask him to stop leaving the cupboard door open every time he takes out a glass or to not leave the toilet seat up, he just tunes me out. How do I get him to do the things I want him to do?

Life is about change. You expect your height to change, your voice to change and your taste in food to change. But did you ever expect your name to change – multiple times?

When you’re born, your birth certificate states your formal first, middle and last name. As an infant, your name changes from Theodore to Teddykins or from Patricia to Pattycakes. When you grow from a baby into a child, your birth name takes center stage again, especially when being scolded by a parent or teacher. “Theodore, come in the house this instant!”

Technology - you’ve got to love it. Or hate it. When it comes to relationships, technology is a double-edged sword. Yes, it’s great to be able to connect with your mate using a quick text: “Meet me at 6.” Sure, it’s fun to send a link of interest. It’s even a kick to follow him or her on Twitter now and then. But what happens when technology disconnects rather than connects you? You know what I mean. I’m talking about when night after night you go to bed and your partner

Love is blind. Or is it? When you met your mate, he or she had idiosyncrasies. Whether your mate flossed his teeth with a piece of his own hair, or she bit her cuticles into the shape of Disney characters, your partner eventually exposed his or her quirks.

Dating is at risk of becoming extinct, especially between spouses and lifelong mates.  Before you catch yourself saying, “That’s not true, my partner and I date each other all the time,” read the following true definition of dating: Dating means spending time together without running errands, without spending an evening with another couple, or without eating out with the kids; spending at least two hours with your mate doing something interesting and fun; creating a memory together.