VERVE’s guide to love in all its forms and phases.

Perhaps, as Valentine’s Day approaches, you’ve found love—true love, picture-perfect, harmonious love—and you have nothing to do now but bask in your bliss. In that case, pat yourself on the back, skip this guide and turn to page 54 for our story on chocolate, which will only further enhance your general state of elation. But we suspect many of you could use some pointers, whether you’ve found love or not. True love is always hard to find, and it’s even harder to keep. We asked Asheville-area marriage counselors, dating and sex experts, divorce attorneys and one longtime married couple for their best insights into love and relationships. What follows is their collected wisdom on how to have the happiest Valentine’s Day (and all the rest of the days) ever.