Can Your Relationship Go The Distance?

We all know about the honeymoon period, that magical time when you can't keep your hands off each other and even a few hours apart feels like an eternity. But what happens afterwards, when the enchantment of the New Relationship Energy has worn off and it's time to get serious? Does your relationship have what it takes to go the distance? The answer is "no" if:

• The focus is mostly physical. Physical affection and a great sex life are musts for many relationships, but they can't be the foundation for long-term love. If your "dates" are really just poorly disguised booty calls, you're not ready for a serious commitment.

• You don't feel special. Your partner is supposed to make you feel like the most attractive, intelligent, funny, talented, wonderful person in the world. If you don't feel like the apple of their eye, it's time to re-evaluate how your date makes you feel and why you're continuing to see someone who doesn't make you feel like the most special person on the planet.

• Suspicious phone behavior. First things first: I'm not giving you permission to read a date's emails or spy on their text messages. But I am suggesting that you take note of how they use their phone. Do they always take calls in another room? Do they try to block their phone so you can't see their caller ID? Are they evasive about who they're speaking to? Do they routinely ignore your calls? If so, you may not be the only date in their life.

• "Closeness" becomes "clingyness." Wanting to spend time together is cute - wanting to spend ALL your time together is creepy. A date who doesn't have a sense of independence or a life of their own will not make a good partner in a long-term relationship. A relationship means being someone's partner, not their caretaker.

• The support system is missing. Can you trust your date? Can you depend on them for anything? Do you feel secure and supported? A person who isn't willing to be your support system is not someone you can be in a relationship with. If they're mysteriously absent when the going gets tough, it's time to cut the cord.

• Intimacy is one-sided. You tell your date everything. You share your deepest secrets and your innermost thoughts. You pour your heart out when you're sad and shout from the rooftops when you're happy. But your date shows as many emotions as a brick wall. A relationship is about give and take - if you give but you never get any intimacy in return, your date's not ready for something more serious.

Don't let the honeymoon period get the better of you. Evaluate your relationships with a critical eye, and know when it's time to move on if you're not getting what you need.