Summer lovin'

Perhaps my favorite thing about summer flings is that they have a built in expiration date. There are no expectations about your future couple hood, and as the summer winds down so does your relationship. That's how it's supposed to be. It's called a "fling" for a reason.

Summer flings usually are passionate affairs that move quickly as both parties recognize the ticking clock on their newfound relationship. Perhaps one of you is on vacation, and you only have a few short, but undeniably sweet, weeks together. Perhaps one of you is going off to graduate school in the fall, changing jobs or preparing to be more career oriented come September. Whatever the reason, the couple can be sure to make a clean break come fall, provided they both follow the rules of a summer fling.

1. Throw your dating requirements out the window. So what if the guy lives a little bit on the edge and doesn't have a real job? You two will part in September, and you'll be able continue on with your higher expectations with even more zealous then.

2. Don't plan for the future. Planning to see each other after the summer just complicates a summer fling and sucks the life out of your last few weeks together.

3. Allow yourself to get that giddy crush feeling you used to get in high school. It's healthy and will give you a new zest for dating.

4. Play it safe. Although the above rules sounds loosy-goosy, don't throw safety out the window. Practice safe sex, if you have it, and don't let any one mistreat you.

Do you have any additional rules to add to the list?