28 PHOTOS click for more

This story was originally published in 2016. We’re re-sharing it in honor of Love Month.

Every relationship is different. There are no set rules for guaranteed success, no universal guide, no answer key located in the back of the textbook like there was in grade school math. (Wouldn’t that be nice?) But there are stories. These stories that we share — the funny ones, the sad ones, the honest ones — they act as headlights to help us find our own narratives. Or at the very least, they make for good reading during whatever leg of the journey we so happen to be on.

Which is why we asked 13 couples and one wise single woman to tell us parts of their stories. It’s less about “how we met” and more about the best parts: the best parts of being in a relationship, the best part of being alone, the best part about the partner and of course, the best advice each person has to give, because even though we don’t always ask for it, it’s nice to know it lives somewhere cozy, just in case you need it. You know?

You know. Click through the above and add your own stories to the comments below.

Photographed by Simon Chetrit