Relationships are like a recipe for baking. It takes time to rise to the occasion and after you get through all the flour, it makes one sweet confection. Of course, like a pie or Pinterest, no relationship or recipe will be the same. If a relationship could be measured, here are some ingredients to include in your recipe for a healthy relationship.

1. 25% Love

Having love for each other has different definitions for different people. Whatever your meaning of love is, you want to make sure it is your significant other's too. Love needs time to discover itself and requires awareness and dedication, so make time to learn to love. The love that's most important to a relationship is love that is not blindsided by emotions. Being romantic is good, but if it's only sweet nothings or words and not actions, love becomes a bout of empty promises and pure fantasy. Just watch any episode of "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" and try to find true love in a half hour in front of cameras and microphones. Love yourself, love each other, love the relationship.

2. 25% Honesty

One of the biggest priorities in a relationship is honesty. Being able to know how both of you feel is necessary for any kind of relationship to develop and remain. No one has to tell the other everything, but do share what shouldn't be avoided, what can potentially harm, if not you, the other. Something in your past makes you feel uneasy and you think it would be best to keep it to yourself. Meanwhile, your partner thinks everything is fine and does everything to make the relationship work except console you and your past. Don't let one detail jeopardize your well-being or the relationship. Breath, clear the air, be understanding.

3. 25% Compromise

Deciding what to eat, what to do with the afternoon, or some alone time are all events that can strengthen or siphon a relationship. Knowing what each other wants and coming to a reasonable consensus keeps your interests in mind while also catering to the other's interests. Compromise is an opportunity to find out what you don't like and what you do like. Finding an even trade-off by making some sacrifices makes for a happier, healthier, more balanced relationship.

4. 15% Affection

We think of affection as physical signs but it doesn't always have to be. The thought counts too, but don't forget, showing is its own special way of telling. Listening, talking candidly, giving advice, thinking forward and making the day about your significant other every now and then, these are all good ways to show your affection. Thoughtful motives show you care about creating and keeping a relationship. Affection allows you to give, receive, show, and tell your love, honesty, and compromises during small and big moments. Affection creates and recreates your relationship and keeps your relationship consistent and flexible.

5. 10% Sex

Sex isn't necessary for a loving relationship to flourish. Intimacy is not limited to just sex. Pleasure is one thing but satisfaction is another. Before sex even crosses your minds, you don't want to rush or impose anything without consent. What's comfortable to you may not be comfortable with your significant other. It doesn't get more intimate than this and for a stable relationship, you want it to mean more than just physical pleasure. If you both decide to have sex, let it be safe but fun. Make sure you both are having a good time.

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Relationships are our need to know in some way that our time and love is being appreciated and acknowledged. Nothing could be sweeter than that. Except sweet potato pie; that's an extra 10% free of charge.