Love is a great thing to live on, but given the everyday hassles of life, it would be good to be also practical about a situation you are likely to be in for the rest of your life― for your own good and for the good of your partner.Here a few tips that would be helpful in determining how comfortably you would fit into a totally new environment.

* Make sure to visit the family of your loved one so that you are able to understand the kind of environment you would be expected to fit into. Even if you are not going to live with the family after the marriage, you will be making occasional visits and they too will be visiting their son.
* If possible, attend one or two family functions to see how well you are received by the immediate family members. Are you respected as a person even though you may not belong to their caste, community or perhaps not even to their country?
* Are you broad minded enough to make a few changes? Your sweetheart may promise you that he will not compel you to make certain changes to please his family, but all that may change over time. Learn to anticipate this well in advance so that there is no resentment.
* Understand also whether the birth of a child may complicate things. How far are you willing to let go of the culture that you were brought up in? How far are you willing to accept a new culture as a part of your life?

All marriages require a lot of understanding and sacrifice; this is what love is all about. In today's world, marriages have also to be built on practicality. Couples should be mature enough to evaluate how adaptable they are and how adaptable they will continue to remain the rest of their lives, as priorities change when the first flush of love wears off. Stay in love forever by walking into your relationship with an open mind and an open heart!