When you first met, everything was peachy keen. You were always excited to see each other. You spent hours on the phone. You always wanted to be together. If any of your friends wanted to find you and you weren’t home, they automatically call your mate.

Now, you’re always annoyed with each other. He always forgets to lift the seat before he uses the toilet and to put it back down when he’s done. He snores. She nags. She can’t cook. He’s always watching football. She’s always on the phone with the girls. Blah, blah, blah…the complaints and criticism are never ending.

Early in the relationship, you may be thinking the mannerisms are endearing. He said it was ok, that you guys can order out if you get hungry. She said she understood about your love of sports.

The whole point of dating is to find the person who is a match for you. You’re looking for the person who you not only think you can live with; but who is someone you will choose to be with in spite of his or her foibles. It means really getting to know your dates and if you find something you dislike, deciding early on if the trait is something you can accept or a reason to say goodbye.

It may seem minor but faith may become an issue in your relationship. Most people say it doesn’t matter whether their date is a believer in Mohammad or in Buddha while he is a Jew. Yet if you talk about attending your religious services, they may object to your practicing your faith and passing it on to your future offspring. This is why usually one of the pair converts to match his or her beliefs - keeps the peace and builds unity.

In the end, your differences are what will determine whether you stay together. Will you let his stinky socks drive you away? Think about it hard…the answer may determine if you’re together for better or worse.