Darling, I'm flattered you've let yourself go

Don't fear the 'seven-month slouch' in relationships – we should see a partner's less lovely habits as a compliment Read more

Why I love internet dating

Internet dating gets a bad rap, but really romance is much more likely to blossom through web sifting than by a bolt from the blue Read more

Let's stick together

Rita and Terry Crump, are both 71 and about to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. They spoke to the Observer about how they met and what has kept them together. Read more

Soulmates - True Stories from the World of Online Dating

Soulmates: True Stories from the World of Online Dating by Sonali Fernando Read more

Love is a like a zoom lens

Why we get creatively forward-looking when Cupid strikes – and self-consciously critical on a one-night stand Read more

Forgiveness is the secret to happy relationships

Forget retaliation and revenge if someone hurts you, says Dr Luisa Dillner: learn to forgive and you'll be happier and healthier Read more

Relationships: Would you date a narcissist?

Narcissists make bad partners, right? Not always Read more

The winner of the ‘great dates’ competition tells her story – and so does her date.

The dramatic cliffs of the Jurassic coastline at Lulworth Cove are dazzlingly white as I follow the course of a lazy seagull through a perfect blue sky... Read more

Is this the perfect date?

We reveal the winning entry in our Soulmates dating competition, plus the 20 runners-up. Read more

What to wear on a date in your 60s

Hadley Freeman can ease your fashion pain Read more

The cost of love

Japan's White Day was created to 'compensate' women who bought Valentine's Day presents for men. Why do we still expect men to pay more in relationships, asks Helen Croydon Read more

The serial dater

In the rush to find a partner, it can be easy to forget about the most important relationship: the one you have with yourself Read more

Reading between the lines

What choice of reading material would impress you in a potential date - and which book would be a big turn-off? Read more

Why dating by scent is not to be sniffed at

George Dodd provides some top tips to help you sniff-out your perfect romantic partner Read more

Safety and stats - Safety first: how to put your mind at ease

Staying safe while dating is paramount to protecting yourself, says Sara McCorquodale Read more

First dates - Blind dater: 'The more relaxed you are the better'

Emma, 24: If you want to see what your blind date is made of, yoga is the way to go Read more

First dates - Language of love

Body language expert Judi James on sending out the right signals and interpreting those of others Read more

First dates - Master of disaster

The Guardian's relationships columnist Serial Dater recalls five blind date nightmares to avoid at all cost Read more

First dates - What friends are for...

Hannah Pool was a matchmaking cynic - until she was set up with her current partner four years ago. So what advice does she have for potential matchmakers? Read more

Classified ads - Do 'missed encounters' ads actually work?

If romance is an ocean, here is the extremely deep part containing the weird-shaped fish, says Seb Emina Read more

Classified ads - Lonely hearts club band

Despite the lofty reputation of the London Review of Books, its classified ads are often hilarious. Contributing editor David Rose picks his favourites Read more

Online dating - 'Online dating is like being a kid in a candy shop'

Roifield, 40 and Leandra, 35: Internet dating was a really good way to see what was out there Read more

Online dating - 'I do most other things online, so why not date?'

Dan, 30: I don't stress about dating because I know it's going to happen one day Read more

Online dating - Raising your profile

Writing a good personal profile is the first step towards successful internet dating. Marc Zakian helps navigate a potential minefield Read more

Flirting - Who's a cheeky boy then?

Can newly-single and clumsy-with-women Henry Castiglione master the fine art of flirting in one weekend? Read more

Tactics - Should I follow any dating rules?

Kira Cochrane thinks not. Her advice is to ignore tactics and simply get out and meet people Read more

Should you Google your date?

You're bored, you're sitting in front of a computer and you have a first date in the next few days. Should you Google? It'll only take a minute. What harm can it do? Read more