With February being the month of love, many Raider couples are celebrating their first or umpteenth Valentine’s Day together.

Being in a long-term relationship requires heaps of commitment and patience. Luckily, four long-term Raider couples have shared their advice on how to last long past the “puppy love” stage.

History teacher Mr. David Cole has been married to his wife for 22 years. Both of them met at Rialto High School, where they worked as teachers. The two dated for 6 months and married soon after.

“I thought she was absolutely gorgeous,” Mr. Cole said regarding first impression of his wife. “She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”

The most challenging obstacle he faced in his marriage was taking on the role of a stepfather.

“My wife already had a daughter,” Mr. Cole said, “so it was difficult melding two families together.”

Mr. Cole says that in order for a relationship to last long, both partners have to keep trying.

“You’ve got to feed a relationship,” he said. “Starvation is what kills it.”

The AP U.S. History teacher has never had a guys’ night out as he has never had the desire to do so. He encourages all couples to find someone whom they enjoy being around at all times, not just in certain moments.

“Marry someone you don’t need to get away from,” Mr. Cole said. “It sounds corny, but I married my best friend. I want to hang out with my wife all the time.”

Mrs. Adelina Lopez, math teacher at Channel Islands, has been married to her husband for 7 years. The couple tied the knot in July 2010, when they had been dating for 7 years prior.

Communication, patience, and reciprocity have helped Mrs. Lopez’s marriage stay afloat.

“My husband helps me out a lot,” Mrs. Lopez said. “Many parents leave taking care of the kids to the mother, but both of us put in 50/50 effort.”

Another long-term Raider relationship is All-Male Dance Team Captain Lawrence Gonzaga and Drill Team Captain Daniela Garcia, who have dated for 2 years and 10 months.

The two met during homecoming season, when Gonzaga asked Garcia to be his date.

“Trust, communication, and honesty have helped us last,” Garcia said. “We also spend a lot of time together.”

Gonzaga said that “keeping the love real every day” is another important factor in his relationship.

Senior Class Vice President Wendy Arevalo has been in a relationship with her boyfriend Emilio Tenorio for a year and nine months.

Arevalo and Tenorio have jumped several hurdles together throughout their relationship, such as jealousy, disagreements, and limited contact.

“We have less time together because he is already in college,” Arevalo said, “but we still talk about all our problems with one another.”

Arevalo claims that the most important characteristics of a healthy relationship are understanding patience, and communication.

“If you really want your relationship to last,” Arevalo said, “then you would put in the effort. If you feel like you two are losing touch, then talk about the problems you may be having. And most importantly, say that you love each other every day.”