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It was my 20th wedding anniversary this week, so I noticed with interest the reports in yesterday’s papers about a ten-point relationship survival ‘kit’ which has the backing of Prince Charles’ divorce lawyer, no less. In fact, Baroness Shackleton hopes that the work - from Exeter University - can be used in schools to help avoid “the untold grief” of separations. The research looks at the foundations for ‘strong romantic relationships’, and finds that the best are based on friendship, respect, realistic expectations and shared interests and humour. And it offers ten helpful questions that partners can ask; I was drawn myself to “Do we generally see the best in each other?” - which we can look for in any relationship, whether romantic or not. And another question - “Do we each have supportive others around us?” – reminds me that we shouldn’t suffer in silence if our relationships are struggling. This ‘survival kit’ is rather timely, in a pop-cultural way, as we head this weekend towards the climax of ITV’s hit reality-show ‘Love Island’. This is a programme that has attracted millions, every night this summer. If you haven’t kept a discrete eye out, it involves a group of attractive young people staying at a villa in Mallorca who are encouraged to ‘couple up’ and form relationships. On one level, of course it’s horribly superficial and props up all sorts of unhelpful cultural stereotypes… yet below the cosmetically enhanced surface of it all, it’s powerful to see participants exploring the same, timeless yearning for love and belonging and experiencing the same insecurities we probably all share. The ups and downs of the contestants also underline another truth in the Exeter report - that relationship goes way beyond the physical, to our mental, emotional and spiritual deepening as well. And while we might not ever master love – and after 20 years of marriage, I still feel like a novice – it’s perhaps best left to the apostle Paul – whose words will echo across the land in countless wedding ceremonies this summer - to remind us to keep practicing within our relationships for… as he says to the Corinthians: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.