It may not be the best analogy, but men are like butterflies. They move from one flower to another, and when they have gathered all the fragrance and sweetness, they lose interest and move on to the next attractive flower they see. Many girls know this little fact, and they can’t rest easy about their paranoia that one day, their men’s butterflies would just float away. Here’s how to make your guy stay forever.

Create the song. Works.

“Don’t go changing, to try to please me…” He says. And the boys have confirmed that it is true. A fatal mistake that girls make is to drastically change a part of themselves in an effort to please their man. These changes are sometimes too overwhelming that a guy is forced to back down. If you’re going to change, do it in small ways and do it first, to make sure your guy is okay with it.

You’re not perfect, so don’t scold him for his flaws.

While she may be so caught up in her own little world and would hate it if her man wasn’t perfect, remember that a good relationship is based on both compatibility and the uniqueness of each partner. If there are certain things you can’t stand about your man, tell him gently and humorously, while making sure he understands. Or if he thinks he deserves a moment to sit down and talk, take it; if he resists change, first understand his problems. He’s probably not as big as you make him out to be.

Control those emotions, woman.

Men are meant to be practical and women emotional, but it is this truth that drives men crazy and drives them crazy. Jealousy is one of the products of this culprit known as emotions. And when women get jealous, it’s not a pretty sight. Showing your man the jealous monster in you is enough to give him nightmares and walk away. If you feel that something is not right, face it, without seeming confrontational. And out of clamor, don’t turn on the faucet.

Out of your way.

Guys may not say much, but they appreciate the little things you do, given the way the world is, where they do the courting and women just feel pretty. Cooking for him may be an everyday thing, but cooking his favorite, even when you’ve had a rough day at work, tells him how much you appreciate being with him. Or choosing him over your friends even though you planned a girls’ night out several weeks ago, because he’s depressed that his dog died. It is not spoiling it, when balance is kept in mind at all times.

Do not be put off.

And this is the balance we are referring to. While you may feel like the best girlfriend in the world and would like to make a career out of taking care of your big baby boyfriend, you also need to pull yourself together and remember that you have a life apart from your relationship. Maintain connections with friends and family, and always take time for yourself. Guys lose interest, no matter how much you give them, when they see that you’ve gotten carried away and are no longer the attractive sex kitty you once were.

Whatever you do, honesty will always be the only policy.

It’s the life and blood of any healthy relationship, and we’re talking forever here. Mutual honesty is important to keep the bond alive. Encourage open communication between you and your guy, and subtly coach him to tell you anything, anything, when he needs to. This way, he won’t have an excuse to run off with someone else when it’s so easy for him to talk to you.

Face the fact: it will always be a boy.

Don’t try to change the things your guy loves: Super Bowl Sundays with the boys, lounging in front of the TV on weekends, his obsession with expensive character figures and toys, and his fascination with Playboy magazines . This was him before and when you met him, and there’s no point in trying to change that, unless you have a good reason.

If it doesn’t hurt the relationship, leave it at that. He doesn’t bother telling you that you take too long in the shower or that your obsession with expensive makeup is through the roof, so why bother him with his addiction to Star Wars? It is these things that make each of you unique, and if you plan to be together forever, you will have to accept these things about each other, because they are also the same things that make you wonderful together.