Is establishing and enjoying loving relationships important to your life? It ought to be, as many of your most important needs in life are met only through relationships. The quality of those relationships will greatly depend on how well you and your partner can do two things: (1) properly manage your emotions during times of stress, deprivation, and trials, and (2) recognize and meet the emotional needs of your partner.

These skills are not inborn, nor can they be casually acquired. But only those who possess them can expect to enjoy happy, loving, fulfilling relationships.

In "The...