I was reading about successful relationships recently and it opened my eyes to the fact that humans define success in relationships in so many ways. What you and I call ‘regular’ is someone else’s ‘ultimate’ or vice versa – just when you thought you knew everything having read the latest issue of a women's magazine, this oxymoron – successful relationships, is my subject to pick on this week.

A goal is what you work for; the destination that you hope to arrive at. So, let's try to determine how Sri Lankans coin their Facebook-officiated, perfect Snap-Chat Stories, for their Insta-goals. For many Sri Lankans (or possibly me), if I'm willing to share my Perera & Sons lamprais with a bite of the fried egg, you're special. But, let's take a look at how other Sri Lankans define Relationship Goals.

1) “Social” Behaviour

For some, being "official" on Facebook is the ultimate goal. When he "rings" you on social media, he is telling his 1300 friends and 96 other followers on Facebook that he is yours. Here, all his Aunties, Nandas, parents, cousins, and colleagues, could now see that he willing to make the commitment. As a Sri Lankan girl, this is the ultimate announcement.

2) Colour Coordination

You may deny it by claiming that it was coincidental, but it's happening. The matching sarongs for Avurudu parties, church, weddings, and the list goes on. You might be wondering, how is it a relationship goal? Isn't that basic? Honey, have you *tried* telling a man what to wear and ever succeeded? He could be perfectly okay with his Bata bubble slippers, shorts, and a tee shirt with holes – but you didn't just pay ASOS an insane shipping fee to Sri Lanka to look like any other day. You didn't invest your weekends carrying your outfit to every store just so that you can match his tie.  

3) Friendship with your Friends

Your best friends have been your Day Ones since 1995. If you’re best friend adores your boyfriend, you know you’ve done well. If the friends who’ve been with you since the BB (before bra) days you played ‘Boys, Girls, Fruits, Flowers’ can be friends with ‘Him’, you can surely rejoice, goals have been attained.

4) Office Dos

Personally, I believe that bringing your SO to an office party is far worse/better than going official on social media. They will remember your Boyfriend for years to come, even when you’re over them, they probably have photos of him on their phone. This permanently sears your chances of scoring it with any of your colleagues forever.

5) Significant Sporting Events

With the Bradby Shield close at hand, I realised that bringing your girlfriend to a significant sporting event like this is almost as good as sealing the deal. Nothing tells a woman that you love her than taking her on a romantic weekend in the hills and you don't remember much of it because of the dangerous levels of toxicity. On your way back home, you look at her blissful expression and wonder what you did that was so good.  

6) Mini Vacays

When you’re taking trips together, you realise that you have unlocked a new level of intimacy – a relationship goal. Like Super Mario, stepping into another level brings you closer to the Princess. It’s no wonder that this is a major Relationship Goal. You’re experimenting what cohabitation will look like. 

7) Vacation with Parents

Do you remember your how Sri Lankan parents at one point told you that you cannot hold a boy’s hand until you’re 31? Somehow, a veil has been lifted and your parents allow you to take breaks with your SO and also make good travel companions when they join you too. Your heart sighs with contentment because there’s nothing nicer than seeing the very woman who’d box your ears into numbness or throw a slipper at you, sitting across your human and being civil.

8) Perfect Social Media Partners

The concept of an Instagram Husband was born as recently as 2016, it’s when your Boyfriend or SO realizes that his sole purpose in your life is to capture the perfect angle across the table or the pool where you can deceptively hide your muffin top or flabby arms. Now, the photo-taking can take place every few minutes, and it's not the perfect picture until she says so. In order to accomplish this, he must love you. Love you enough to not push you into the said pool. 

9) Watching and Liking Lion King

When the movie Lion King came out in 1994, I was about 8. Since then, I’ve known people who still watch it and cry every single time. For me, it's The Simpsons. It’s important for them to find partners who share their zeal.

The good thing about goals is that it can move from one level to another; perhaps you're waiting for the Facebook officiating of your relationships - maybe his parents don't like you yet, but that doesn't mean that one day you might be on vacation with them.

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By: Ms Confidential