Let's just be honest from the start, relationships are not easy.

I know that's a very vague, blanket statement, but it's true! There's no such thing as the perfect relationship where everyone gets along and there are absolutely no fights ever. That's just human nature. We fight, we resolve, and then we (hopefully) overcome. The key to overcoming these quarrels is learning that all relationships require sacrifice. This is one of those things that's super easy to say but a lot harder to do.

However, actually having to give up something that's important to you for the person you love is the secret ingredient to a happy and healthy relationship.

That's not to say that you should have to give up absolutely everything you love to do for the person you're dating. That's actually the opposite of the idea. The goal is to essentially recognize that when you're in a relationship, sometimes you're going to have to give up things you want to do, or things you love, to be able to spend time with your significant other.

Relationships are not a conditional kind of thing. If the person's you're dating mentality is "Well you didn't do this for me so why should I do this for you," then you're probably with the wrong person. Of course, relationships are a give and take kind of thing, but you should want to give your whole heart and devotion to your partner. You should want to do things for them just to make them happy. You should want to do whatever you have to do to show them how much they mean to you.

This is not to say that you must give up all things that make you happy in order to be in a relationship. I'm just saying that sometimes your relationship is a little bit more important than watching tonight's game or getting a round of "Fortnite" in. Again, if you feel as though playing video games is more entertaining and important than spending time with your partner, then you're with the wrong partner! Being with the right person will make you want to do whatever you have to to make them happy.

Making sacrifices is a good way to show someone how much they mean to you. As long as you're with someone who genuinely appreciates all the sacrifices and compromises you've made for them.

The next time your partner asks you to go to dinner with their family, asks you to take out the trash or wants to watch a show that you really don't have a lot of interest in, just think about the smile that will be on there face when you say yes without an argument. Isn't that worth more than a couple annoying hours with your girlfriend's parents?