The path to love starts with ditching your foolish pride.

Dear "It" Girl,

If you want to find a great relationship, it may mean getting over your foolish pride. Perhaps, it'll imply quitting the playing hard to get game or shortening the laundry list of must have male traits. For a lot of women, foolish pride is holding on to the belief that superficial characteristics in man will determine their compatibility. They hold on to their "standards" closer than their favorite designer clutch bags! From strict requirements about the age range they are willing to date to their refusal to date any man shorter than 5'10''- even when they themselves are 5'4''-these women are missing out on quality men.

We all have attraction templates that determine who we find most desirable. (i.e. Your first love had black spikey hair and you can't kick the penchant!) However, there comes a time in which a smart women realizes there is more to a quality man than what meets the eye. (And, it isn't the hair that will keep her happy years later!) In his new book A Crash Course To Love, my boss, Steve Ward, reveals the three attributes of a healthy, satisfying relationship: communication, trust, and respect. In my opinion, this is the winning combination and the most ideal path to love. Hard work is required, so make sure both you and your man are up for the challenge!

Love, Rachel Russo, MS, MFT