The INSIDER Summary:

• Ariel Winter defended her boyfriend Levi Meaden after a tabloid published a report saying that she was paying for him to treat her "like a princess."
• She called the report "fake news" and said that Meaden pulls his own weight with his own money. 

Actress Ariel Winter and her boyfriend Levi Meaden are no stranger to tabloid headlines. But when Star Magazine's print issue published a report claiming that she was paying him to treat her "like a princess" and that friends were concerned she was giving him too much money, Winter couldn't help but set the record straight. 

In an Instagram, Winter posted an iPhone notes app screenshot (celebrities' favorite way to respond to things) where she called the report "fake news" and denied that she was paying Meaden to take care of her. Instead, Winter insisted that he was doing that on his own accord and with his own money.

Winter made it clear that she has a personal assistant to do tasks for her and that anything her boyfriend does is because he's an equal partner in their relationship. 

Here's her note in full:

Star Magazine is OBVIOUSLY a non reputable [sic] source and a trash magazine, but seriously how dare you make up stuff that you have no idea about? I have a BOYFRIEND and a PERSONAL ASSISTANT who are NOT the same person. I would NEVER pay my boyfriend ANY sort of allowance, nor would he EVER accept if I offered. He BUYS his own stuff whether it's for me or for himself, and he more than pulls his weight for our life. I HATE fake news, but I guess that's what our world has come to. Get your sh-- straight. I don't support anyone, and I don't need anyone to support me. He's got a full career (including something huge that's new) and works hard for it. He's not just someone's boyfriend. So if you don't know us, don't comment. Xoxo

Winter has previously defended Meaden because of their 10-year age difference and the fact that they live together. Based on the matching tattoos they just got, I'd say this relationship isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A superfan tweeted her celebrity crush for 5 years, and now they're dating

If you're planning to buy the home of your dreams with the partner of your dreams, make sure you've been together for at least five years.

That's the best way to keep arguments at bay, according to a new survey from LendingHome.

Among millennial and Gen X couples buying their first home, twosomes who have been together for five years or longer disagreed only 14% of the time during the homebuying process.

That number more than doubles for partners together for four years, who the survey found argued 30% of the time.

Overall, though, 60% of homebuying couples said they disagreed occasionally, frequently or a lot during the housing search.

Here's where couples disagreed most, and how you can avoid the same fight:

How much debt to take on (49% of couples disagreed)

Unsurprisingly, money was a top concern. It's important that you're clear with your partner on both your current financial situation, including what debt you have to your name and your plans for paying it down, as well as how much more you're willing to take on. (That should be no problem for you millennial couples, right?) Here are a few talking points to make sure you've covered your bases.

What style of house to buy (46% of couples disagreed)

The survey found that generally, women preferred traditional or cozy houses in the suburbs and established neighborhoods. Men, on the other hand, were more likely to prefer a modern home in a city setting. What kind of home you search for will depend not only on your budget and location, but also whether you see it as a starter home or a long-term investment, what neighborhood features you'd like, other financial goals and life milestones on your radar, and so on.

How big the house should be (45% of couples disagreed)

Just because you prequalify for a $2 million mortgage doesn't mean you should necessarily max out your funds. Make sure you go in with your partner understanding how much house you can afford, in terms of both size and price tag, to avoid stretching your budget thin.

Whether to make a DIY project out of it (43% of couples disagreed)

HGTV might have you yearning to shiplap your way to your dream home, but it can be a serious time and money commitment (and it almost always takes more of both than planned). Doing research as a couple about what's worth it and what's not is a must. If you're set on a fixer upper, consider having a contractor accompany you to your potential new home to get an on-the-spot assessment of what it'll take to renovate.

While homebuying disagreements abounded, there's a bright side: More than 60% of couples said that in the end, the fights didn't affect their relationships, and more than half felt more committed to each other after finally signing on the dotted line.

And hey, if you can make it through the stress of buying your first home together, assembling all that IKEA furniture once you move in will be a cinch.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about buying a home, in 7 steps

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: HGTV stars who went from renovating houses to running a multimedia empire explain the keys to a great business plan

The INSIDER Summary:

• A study showed that people who have more frequent sex had improved their brain functions as they got older. 
• Verbal fluency saw the biggest benefit from frequent sex. 

Forget those puzzles and flashcards — a new study found that higher brain function could be linked to getting busy between the sheets. 

The study, conducted by Coventry University and Oxford University, found that having frequent amounts of sex could be tied to improved brain functions as people got older. 

As exciting as this news may be, the study was pretty small. Researchers polled 73 people ages 50-83 about how much sex they were having on average, as well as other lifestyle and health questions. They also had the participants partake in a test that is often used to measure the brain functions of older people, which tests attention, memory, fluency, language, and visuospatial ability. 

While the study — published in the The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences — did not show a link between the frequency of sex and attention, memory or language — those who had sex monthly, weekly, and not at all seemed to perform at the same rate — researchers then tested people on their verbal fluency and their ability to visually perceive objects and the spaces between them. 

They found that those who engaged in sex weekly — rather than monthly or not at all — scored higher on these tests, particularly in verbal fluency. 

This isn't a perfect science, as researchers note in their release of the findings, but they say that the link appears to be there and that with more research, they can be more sure that it's real.

Lead researcher Hayley Wright — from Coventry University's Centre for Research in Psychology, Behavior, and Achievement — encouraged researchers to pursue the idea of this link no matter the societal norms it breaks. 

"People don't like to think that older people have sex – but we need to challenge this conception at a societal level and look at what impact sexual activity can have on those aged 50 and over, beyond the known effects on sexual health and general well-being," she said in a release. 

SEE ALSO: A psychologist who’s studied couples for decades says this is the best way to argue with your partner

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NOW WATCH: The psychology behind who says ‘I love you’ first in a relationship

If you follow the Kardashians as closely as I do, you know a few things: They love big salads, they live for #sponsored Instagram posts, and their children are adorable and will rule us all one day. 

But you'd be forgiven for not knowing what the heck is going on with Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's relationship. It has taken so many forms and they've been on and off more times than I can even count.

Luckily, I did count! So come with me through the tale of Kourtney and Scott's ever-changing relationship, as documented on social media and E!'s "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

2006: Kourtney and Scott met for the first time.

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 Kourtney and Scott met at "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis's home in 2006, according to People magazine. She posted a throwback picture to that night on Instagram in 2015.

Scott said on an episode of "Kourtney & Khloe Take the Hamptons"that he was into Kourtney when they met. She later said that she didn't like him at first because he was "annoying," four years younger, and "didn't have a job." Get ready to sense a pattern. 

2007: They began dating.

When "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" first began, Scott was prominently featured as Kourtney's boyfriend. The two seemed happy for the most part and couldn't keep their hands off of each other.

This makes sense, since they were in the phase of their relationship called "Limerence," a term coined by Dorothy Tennov in her book "Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love." This phase can last anywhere from 18 months to two years and is often categorized by high sex drive and infatuation.  

2008: We saw the first signs of trouble.

But their honeymoon period didn't last long. Not even a year into their relationship, Scott was accused of cheating during an episode of the show when the Kardashian sisters found texts on his phone that read, in part: "I loved looking into your eyes last night. I wish I could come to LA for a week and not tell Kourt."

She accused him of cheating on her with an ex and the two broke up that year. Kourtney then headed down to Miami for "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami" as a single woman. 

Sheri Meyers calls it an "affair of the heart," or "emotional sex."

You're hardly renting a hotel room together — at least not yet — but you're going out to lunch every weekday and trading intimacies, and when you get home at night, you can't stop thinking about them. Or, maybe you haven't met in person, but you chat online for hours at a time.

Emotional affairs are hard to define exactly. But as Kristin Salaky at INSIDER reports, they're becoming increasingly common — more so even than physical affairs.

Business Insider spoke to Meyers, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the author of "Chatting or Cheating," and Michele Weiner-Davis, who is also a licensed marriage and family therapist and the author of "Healing From Infidelity," about some key signs that you could be guilty of emotional infidelity.

Interestingly, Weiner-Davis said that many people in this situation insist they weren't looking to cheat — it just happened. But in reality, the road to infidelity is a "slippery slope," she said. "Every daily decision is bringing them closer and closer to moving from emotional infidelity to perhaps even a physical affair."

SEE ALSO: 9 facts about cheating that couples — and singles — should know

You find that it's easier to open up to the other person than it is to open up to your partner

In short, Weiner-Davis said, "that's not a good sign."

Even if you do have better communication with the other person, she added, there's probably a good reason why: You don't have to talk to that person about kids, or finances, or all the other un-sexy topics you talk to your partner about.

So instead of pursuing that freer relationship with the other person, "what needs to happen is rather than using [the other person] as the outlet, you need to get help so that you have better communication at home."

You're sexually attracted to the other person

"You are drawn to this person," Meyers said, "whether you act on it or not."

It's really a combination of sexual chemistry and emotional comfort: "There's this underlying sexual energy and chemistry and you begin to believe that your friend understands you and gets you more than your partner does."

You wouldn't behave the same way toward the other person in front of your partner

When Weiner-Davis talks to couples about emotional infidelity, she tells them:

"You have to ask yourself when you're having interactions with someone meaningful to you: If your spouse [or partner] were standing right beside you, would you be doing what you're doing? Would you be saying what you're saying?

"And if the answer's no, then there's something not right about that relationship."

If you're looking to boost your sex appeal, step away from the mirror.

Business Insider asked a panel of dating and relationship experts to share the most appealing qualities in a potential partner — and no one mentioned physical traits. Sure, looks can be important, but it seems people are also seeking someone who carries themselves with confidence and treats others well.

Read on to find out which personality traits you should be working on (and flaunting) in order to attract love.

SEE ALSO: 10 common mistakes that will kill your dating life

Trust

"Whether they know it or not, trust is a major trait people seek in a partner," said Michael McNulty, Master Trainer and Certified Gottman Relationship Therapist from The Chicago Relationship Center.

"In fact, research tells us people only tend to move from romantic flings into bona fide relationships when they feel they can trust the potential partner.

"Trust in a relationship is not only about transparency. It's a sense of investment in the relationship. It's a sense of commitment to one another. It's a sense that both partners are true to themselves, while having each other's backs.

"They are honest about what they want and need, and committed to working through their differences in ways that are fair to both of them."

Friendliness

"Partners who, everyday, take the time to know each other well, to appreciate one another, and to catch and respond to each other's attempts or emotional bids to connect have rich friendships," McNulty said.

"This involves support, humor, empathy, and many other positive qualities. A rich friendship builds and enhances romance and emotional intimacy in a long term, loving relationship.

"It helps people to remain connected in those good times and bad, which are inherent in all relationships."

Vulnerability without neediness

"We like people strong enough to reveal themselves, without needing us to validate them," said Hal Runkel, marriage and family therapist and author of "Choose Your Own Adulthood."

The INSIDER Summary:

• A Wisconsin man served as the "flower man" in his cousin's wedding
• The crowd loved his swagger as he walked down the aisle and did a "Lebron powder toss" with the flowers at the end. 
• His cousin and her new husband loved it, too. 

When his cousin Andria wanted Patrick Casey to be involved in her wedding, he offered to do so in the most adorable way possible by acting as the wedding's "flower girl." And he went all out. 

28-year-old Casey, who BuzzFeed reports runs his own PR firm in Wisconsin, walked down the aisle spreading petals using the same basket that Andria used 20 years before in a wedding they were both in together. 

A video of Casey's walk down the aisle, which has already racked up thousands of views, shows his dignified flower tosses and ends with him pulling more petals out of his pockets to perform a "Lebron powder toss" at the end. The crowd totally ate it up, clapping for him as he joined the rest of the wedding party at the alter. 

And while you might think such a stunt would upstage the bride and groom, Casey told BuzzFeed that the couple loved his flower man performance and that it added some levity to their big day. 

"They FULLY encouraged me to do all of this. I would have never done anything to take attention away from them if they didn't want me to," he said.

An article from The New York Times said that Casey is not alone: the "flower man" is becoming more and more common as couples break out of traditional gender roles. So if you're planning a wedding, you may just want to expand your search. 

You can watch the full video of Casey's walk down the aisle below: 

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NOW WATCH: This girl showed up to Tinder dates in a wedding dress

For all the emphasis we place on romantic relationships, they seem to involve a lot of guesswork.

Look at the language we use to describe love: Instead of choosing to love someone, you fall for them. When you're attracted to someone, you say you're into them, or you're feeling it. Spontaneity is key too — one partner is expected to initiate sex and marriage proposals when the feeling is right. They're not things partners sit down together and plan.

Relying on intuition and surprises can be romantic, but that also creates ripe terrain for miscommunication in a relationship. In a recent New York Times "Modern Love" column, writer Mandy Len Catron wrote that she and her partner have found a better way.

It involves something she calls a relationship contract.

For the last two years, Len Catron and her boyfriend have signed and dated a four-page, single-spaced document titled "Mark and Mandy's Relationship Contract." Inside are stipulations on everything from how long house guests can stay to who's responsible for paying a certain bill.

"Our contract addresses much of what must be negotiated in any relationship," Len Catron wrote.

While it might not sound as fun whimsical as most conventional approaches to relationships, being more active and collaborative could have a range of positive results for some couples.

Studies suggest that couples who make big choices as a team, for example, are happier individually, feel closer to one another, and stay together longer. A report from the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia looked at more than a thousand adults, and found that couples who took time to talk through big decisions together were more happy later on. In contrast, couples who slid through relationship milestones were more likely to feel dissatisfied and break up.

"Deciding rather than sliding revolves around commitment — not just to each other, but to the decision itself," Galena K. Rhoades, a University of Denver psychology professor and licensed marriage counselor who co-authored the report, wrote in an article for The Atlantic.

Similarly, couples who speak openly about the physical and emotional parts of their relationships tend to trust one another more and feel more satisfied with the relationship.

Two years ago, Len Catron wrote an article titled "36 questions to make you fall in love with anyone." That article was based on a 1997 study by Arthur Aron, a psychologist at the State University of New York. Aron split pairs of people into two groups, and gave one group increasingly probing questions to ask and answer in order to see if they'd feel more intimate at the end of the session. (They did.)

Initially, a lot of attention Aron's work received focused on whether his question method could be used to make people fall in love. But several of his questions are pretty similar to what couples getting ready to make big decisions together might do. 

One question on Aron's list, for example, asks couples to "Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it." His findings could therefore also be seen as support for the idea that an active approach to relationships can make both partners more satisfied in the long term.

Ultimately, it all comes back to seeing love as a choice or action and taking responsibility for building and maintaining a relationship. That's precisely where Len Catron says her marriage contract comes in.

"Writing a relationship contract may sound calculating or unromantic, but every relationship is contractual; we’re just making the terms more explicit," she wrote. "It reminds us that love isn’t something that happens to us — it’s something we’re making together."

SEE ALSO: These are the questions one writer says can make you fall in love with a stranger

DON'T MISS: A psychologist who’s studied couples for decades says this is the best way to argue with your partner

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Can strangers fall in love after asking each other these 36 specific questions?

Living together can be a major adjustment for any couple. But when you're used to being long distance and only seeing each other a few times a month and on computer screens, the jump to moving in together can become a little overwhelming. 

With a few tips and some patience, you can adjust to living under the same roof and make your new home a happy one. 

Figure out your finances.

When you were long-distance, you may have treated your partner to expensive meals and dates when you could see each other, but that may not be an option anymore. So as unromantic as this sounds, you need to make a plan for expenses. 

There are plenty of apps that can help you organize your expenses — some apps like Splitwise keep a running tally of how much you're owed or remind you when you owe someone else, and apps like Mint help you make a budget and stick to it. 

Maybe you split expenses based on income or each of you takes a bill. Whatever works for you, just make sure you have a plan in place so it doesn't become a fight in the future. 

Get over the "hard-to-get" factor.

While it's a tough situation, there are some romantic aspects of being long-distance. The anticipation of finally seeing your significant other after weeks or months of being apart can really skew the notion of what a normal relationship looks like. 

"When you're dating someone long distance, you suffer from an artificial sense of attraction to that person," Carlos Cavallo, a dating and relationships coach, told INSIDER. "In other words, circumstances block you from seeing that person, which creates a sense of 'hard to get' about the other person. That makes him or her feel more scarce than he actually is. That will create a feeling of attraction — even if the attraction isn't completely real."

Don't let the everyday monotony of a relationship get you down. Cherish the time you have together and don't compare it to your long-distance times.

Give each other space.

It may seem counter-productive, but once you get together, you will occasionally need some time apart. Being together constantly can cause fights, so make sure you strike a balance. 

"It was an amazing experience to be with one another all the time, though we had to make some changes," said author Rhonda Boyle, who moved in with her then-boyfriend after meeting on a cruise ship and living long-distance for nine months. "I had to learn to give him space at the end of the day to recharge his batteries.

A great way to do this is to get a hobby. It can be the gym, painting, reading, museums, whatever brings you joy. Therapists even suggest "solo times" for yourself or some close friends to show yourself you can have fun without one another, too. 

"Solo Night might look like he goes off bowling with the guys, while she stays in, binges on Netflix, and stains her night-shirt with popcorn butter — you know, like she used to when she was single," said Wendy Newman, author of 121 First Dates. "And maybe the next week, they flip the script and she's out while he's in. We get a little taste of freedom, and a little re-connection to our solitary self. This brings balance so we don't lose ourselves in the relationship."

The last six months have been huge for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian. 

The tennis superstar and the Reddit cofounder, respectively, found out they were expecting a child and got engaged — all since December. 

But things weren't always perfect. In fact, when they first met, Williams tried to get Ohanian to go away by telling him there was a rat nearby. 

In the July cover story of Vanity Fair, writer Buzz Bissinger got the inside look at their love story. That, along with Instagram sleuthing, helped us compile the story of Ohanian and Williams' whirlwind romance. 

Here's how this power couple from opposite worlds fell in love. 

SEE ALSO: Reddit's founder thought people in Silicon Valley were the hardest workers — until he met his fiancée, Serena Williams

The pair met in May 2015 at the Hotel Cavalieri Hilton in Rome, when Ohanian sat down at the table next to Williams' outside by the pool, according to Vanity Fair. Williams and her friends tried to get him to leave by telling him there was a rat at his table. When it didn't work, they invited him to join them.

Source: Vanity Fair

Williams had never heard of Reddit before, and Ohanian had never watched Williams play tennis, but he agreed to come to the match later that day. He knew so little about the sport that the first photo he shared publicly of Williams shows her committing a foot fault.

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Source: Instagram, Vanity Fair

When they met, Ohanian had just gotten out of a five-year relationship with his college sweetheart, microbiologist Sabriya Stukes.

Source: The New York Times, Vanity Fair

The INSIDER Summary:

• Relationship therapy is not just for couples to partake in.
• Single people can benefit from relationship therapy because it sets up good habits for when they decide to date again. 
• It can promote self-love and help them examine their own behavior. 

Chances are good that you or someone you love is in therapy: There are more than 54 million people seeking therapy in the US and that number is growing. You can attend specialized therapy sessions for nearly every mental illness or type of problem you want to discuss, from addiction to treatment for postpartum depression.

But one type of therapy many people can benefit from is relationship therapy. And while it might seem suited for a couple or a group of people to attend together, many therapists insist that attending relationship therapy as a single person can be hugely beneficial for your future and present relationships. 

This type of therapy received major attention after the current star of "The Bachelorette," Rachel Lindsay, discussed with one of her contestants how they both separately sought out relationship therapy after a breakup. They sang its praises, saying the therapy affected how they saw themselves and the qualities they look for in a partner. 

Therapy holds you accountable for your actions. It makes you examine why you do the things you do and will help you think about how your actions can affect others — something that is invaluable in a romantic relationship. 

"In order to grow your character and enhance the understanding you have of yourself, you must be in conversation with a person who challenges you at a core level, who encourages you to drop your defenses and get honest about why you are the way you are and who you long to become," breakup coach Chelsea Leigh Trescott told INSIDER. 

"By going to relationship therapy at a time when you are not in a committed partnership, you are creating a dynamic that holds you accountable for self-inquiry and that inquiry will inevitably make you a more substantial candidate for love," she continued. 

Going to a relationship-specific therapist can help you examine both your romantic and familial relationships and how they intertwine. Single people can often have wounds from childhood or their upbringing that they need to examine before they can have a healthy relationship — after all, we've all heard the old adage that people date partners like their parents. 

"We have the training to explore patterns within a person's family of origin and previous relationships that may impact them in the present day," therapist Cassie Len told INSIDER. "As couples therapists, we find that people seek out partners who remind them of their primary caregivers in order to replay old childhood wounds in hopes of a different outcome. When I see individuals for therapy, I feel it is important to process those wounds in order to change future interactions with partners."

Going to relationship therapy also shows that your most important relationship is with yourself. Showing self-care and self-love will inevitably improve your relationship with others because you can't love anyone else without first loving yourself. 

"Going to therapy or hiring a coach while single is a form of self-care and preparation," life coach Lisa Concepcion told INSIDER. "Consistently working to improve oneself tells the universe you're self-caring and are serious about attracting a partner who is also self-caring."

You can start relationship therapy any time you feel you need it. Trescott encourages people to take that time following a breakup to start therapy if they can to really reap the "gifts" of a breakup. 

"One reason I encourage someone coming out of a breakup to call a timeout for themselves and invest in relationship coaching is so they slow down and really receive the gift of a breakup," she told me. "The gift being, the chance to engage their own heart again and to reflect on why they love the way they love. Relationship coaching therefore keeps them from fixating so heavily on getting back out there and finding not only 'the one' but anyone."

And if you need a little help getting back into the dating scene, there is no one better than a relationship therapist to help you decide what you really want in a partner and to make sure you're confident enough to face the tough world of dating. 

"When a single person enters into therapy alone and does not really wish to be alone, therapy can offer a great deal of support in helping them to explore what they are really looking for in a partner, help them gain confidence (if needed) to enter the dating scene successfully, and navigate dating in a healthy and positive way," therapist Alicia Taverner told INSIDER. 

Therapy is not for everyone, but if you're looking to get your love life on track, don't shy away from relationship therapy just because you're not in one. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the therapy pig who is calming travelers' nerves at San Francisco Airport

Getting married is a stressful thing, but it seems like some brides can handle the heat more than others. 

A recent AskReddit thread asked users to recount the craziest "bridezilla" moment they've ever seen at a wedding. The responses range from finicky brides who want everything just so to some truly embarrassing tantrums.

And though INSIDER can't independently verify any of these tales, they do make for some wild reading.

"She had decided that Kate looked too pretty after having her makeup done."

"A girl I know, I'll call her Kate, was [a] bridesmaid at a wedding. On the morning of the wedding, the bride had a full on screaming b---- fit and demoted Kate from being bridesmaid because she had decided that Kate looked too pretty after having her makeup done and the bride wanted to be the prettiest." - Redditor ungratefulshitebag.

"I had no idea how to respond except to say I was sorry."

"I worked for a florist setting up weddings when I was 15. I was the lowest person on the totem pole — I had no control over any aspect of the work and I was a grunt.

"I was setting up a wedding with hideous pink and sparkly decor. I remember it pretty distinctly. It was at the art museum on a Saturday, a venue that costs $10,000 to rent. So the bride and groom had money. I was alone at the museum because I couldn't drive yet and I was frequently abandoned. Everything was ready for the reception.

"Bride comes in and starts crying and screaming about how the pink wasn't the right shade and her wedding was ruined. According to the contract she signed with my boss, she had to have seen an example of the work she was getting and approved it. She approached me (15 year old me hiding behind a column because I didn't have anywhere to go) and started screaming at me for ruining the wedding. I hadn't made a single arrangement there. I had no idea how to respond except to say I was sorry." - Redditor FromRussiaWithDoubt

"She lost a lot of respect and a lot of friends in two hours."

"One day after her wedding, a friend I went to school with went on a rampage on Facebook about how none of her friends showed up to her big day and, the ones that did show up, didn't dance or participate in anything at the reception.

"She blasted everyone and made her wedding party feel like s--- because she spent too much money on unnecessary things that no one used (mainly the photo booth and tons of rented costumes and accessories to use in the booth).

"She made a second post an hour later complaining about all of the people that stopped her to take pictures and didn't let her enjoy her party. It was hilarious to watch the comments flood in from people who went and were pissed and a few requested their gifts back. The kicker here is that a former classmate, someone who has a lot of mutual friends with the bride, lost his infant son earlier that week and the baby's services fell on the same day as the wedding. Most of the people she was b----ing at for not coming had opted to go to the child's funeral service instead of her wedding. She lost a lot of respect and a lot of friends in two hours." - Redditor ittakesonetoknowwon

Catching someone in a lie is a sticky situation. But what if you can't tell if they're lying or not? 

If you suspect someone's being untruthful, there are a few things you can do to try and sniff out their unsavory behavior — even without a lie detector test. 

Pick up on their posture.

Someone who is lying will often show it with their body language. Oftentimes, they will shrink in on themselves, slouching and slumping to subconsciously protect their body while they're deceiving you. 

"As a rule, the more someone allows their body to be open the more likely it is that they are being honest. That is because when your body is open you are more physically vulnerable," psychologist John Paul Garrison told INSIDER. "If you observe someone change their body language to close of their body or do behaviors to calm themselves (e.g., touching their face, rubbing their forehead) then it is possible they are lying."

Look them in the eye.

We've all heard the phrase "look me in the eyes" in reference to when someone is lying. But it turns out there is actually a lot of truth to that: Lack of eye contact is one of the first non-verbal signs that someone is being deceitful. 

Eye contact is something personal and intimate. If someone is lying, they often want to disengage with you and de-personalize the situation. 

Notice the rate of their movement.

Lying people typically want to trick the questioner into thinking they're clamer than they are, so their movements will reflect that. 

Oftentimes they will keep their hands at their sides, sit extremely still, speak slowly, and keep their facial movements to a minimum. Because they may be trying to fake an aura of calm, these behaviors can actually be a huge tell that they're lying.

Be warned: This kind of poker-face lying is indicative of a skilled liar, so it can be hard to pick up on.

A first date shouldn't be a job interview, with one person grilling the other about their likes and dislikes, their family background, and their ideal relationship. Actually, that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

But if you're nervous about running out of things to say, or worried that you'll bore your date by making them give the same basic spiel they've given 100 times before, we've got you covered.

Business Insider checked out Quora, Redditthreads, and other resources for some creative first-date questions that will tell you something substantive about the person you're with.

Again, it's probably not a great idea to rattle off all these questions in quick succession. Instead, pick a few favorites and keep them handy for times when you want to liven up a first-date conversation. And be prepared to answer them yourself!

SEE ALSO: I went on 100 dates in a single year — here are my 3 best pieces of advice on breaking the ice with a stranger

What does a typical day look like for you?

On her Science of People blog, behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards says this question is a better alternative to "What do you do?" She writes:

"You can find out if they are an early riser, how they spend their free time and typically their job will come up as well. I have found that you don’t really need to ask about their career — it usually comes up naturally."

Have you ever doubted your career choice, and how did you deal with the doubt?

On Quora, Nic Nelson says this question can easily replace the standard, "Why did you choose your current career?" It'll likely yield a longer and more nuanced answer.

How did you and your best-friend meet, and how did they become your best friend?

That's a suggestion from Quora user Juvian Julian Hernandez. This question, he writes, is "intended to get your date thinking in terms of emotion and feeling — hopefully positive ones."

Can you grow out of friendships? Sadly, I think the answer is yes.

Does this story sound familiar to you?

I met Sophie on a writer's retreat. We bonded immediately — standing in line to get our room keys. I loved her shoes, she loved my scarf. We both tried to eat vegetarian, but loved bacon.

We asked to switch roommates so we could be bunk buddies.

She was working on a fiction novel, I was working on the early notes for Captivate. We traded notes, read drafts and were inseparable for two weeks. When we got home we decided to have weekly calls to discuss our manuscripts.

We promised to visit, but schedules were crazy! Calls were too hard with our busy schedules, so we texted. Texting got hard so we emailed. She got pregnant and had two beautiful twins. She stopped writing. We had less and less to talk about, even on emails. We sometimes sent each other pictures — her babies, my garden. Texts were slow. After a while even emailing become tedious.

I visited her on my last work trip to her city and we had almost nothing to talk about. She asked to come visit Portland this summer — I'm dreading it.

What happens when you realize an old friend has become an obligatory friend?

An obligatory friend is someone you don't enjoy spending time with, but end up spending time with because you feel guilty, it's a habit or you do not know how to stop.

This doesn't usually happen over night.

Obligatory friend warning signs:

There are warning signs…

• Overtime you grow apart
• Your interests have gotten more and more different
• You are less alike than you originally thought
• You no longer work together / are on the same sports team / go to the same organization
• You have become different people than you were when you were younger
• You have nothing in common anymore
• You no longer live nearby

This most commonly happens with:

• Childhood friends
• Old colleagues from previous jobs
• College buddies
• Exes
• Trip or travel acquaintances
• *Someone who made a really good first impression, but turned out to be less than stellar
• Old neighbors

Here's my big idea: We absolutely can grow out of friends, just like we grow out of clothes. Sometimes our taste changes, sometimes our size changes … and this is not a bad thing.

Let me explain how obligatory friendships happen. It all starts with what I call spheres of interest.

Spheres of interest:

When you first meet someone you are not sure how many of your interests and their interests overlap. You both have spheres of interests and you wonder how much overlaps:

Then as you get to know each other you find more and more commonalities. The areas you have in common are called relevance. The closer your spheres of interest, the more you like someone.

Sometimes 'interests' can be points of relevance like:

• Works at the same company
• Lives in the same building
• Goes to the same school
• Plays on the same team
• Is a part of the same organization
• Are on the same trip

The more commonalities you have the more relevant someone is to you. In a great relationship the circles move closer together:

Before a relationship becomes obligatory there is usually no movement at all — or your common interests begin to diverge. You never find more common interests, you never get closer, you never bond fully. In fact, with most obligatory friends your spheres of interest slowly move away from each other…

I call this movement the slow creep.

The slow creep:

Slowly the spheres of influence creep farther and farther apart.

The problem with obligatory friends, is we often do not realize a friendship is becoming obligatory until it's already highly un-fun to hang out with them — and then it's hard to break up. You can know someone for years and not realize how much you have changed or that you are no longer enjoying each other's company.

When your spheres of interests move farther and farther apart, you get closer and closer to becoming ambivalent about the person and your relationship.

And ambivalent relationships are dangerous. I think guilt is the culprit.

Riding the wave of guilt

You know how this goes. Habit. Routine. Guilt.

• You get together because you always get together when you visit home.
• You call each other because you always talk once a month.
• You invite someone because they always come to your holiday party.

But you forget to ask yourself:

Do you actually like spending time with them?

Here's what happens if you stay on the guilt wave:

• Your interactions become less and less fun.
• Getting together feels more and more like an obligation.
• You dread spending time with them.
• You feel resentful when you do spend time together
• You agonize over invites, calls and get togethers.

Stop the guilt

I realized that these obligatory friendships were bad for everyone involved.

When you begrudge a friendship. They feel it.

When guilt is the driving momentum in a relationship, its doomed for failure.

When you force yourself to spend time with someone or pretend to have a good time you are either lying to yourself or lying to them.

This is not truthful living.

You are not serving anyone by maintaining this ruse. The hard part is obligatory friendships do NOT get better. Once spheres of interest start moving apart, they usually don't stop.

And by the way… this is how we get the most toxic kind of interaction — frenemies.

Either you have to pull the plug, or the relationships will keep on draining.

I know, I know, you feel guilty. You feel bad. There is history. But listen up: Having history with someone is not enough fuel for a friendship.

• Okay, so you were best friends in elementary school, how is maintaining a shallow relationship honoring that memory? Do you really think things will change?
• Okay, so you helped each other get through the corporate merger at your last job. How are obligatory monthly phone calls helping either of you now?
• Okay, so you are different now. How is someone from your old life helping you move on in your new one?

It might be time to break-up with your friend.

Your challenge:

I challenge you to think about the obligatory relationships in your life. Are there people who you are close with for the wrong reasons? Are there people who you are lying to yourself about? Are there people you dread hanging out with.

Letting them go helps you both.

I know how hard it is to let go of old relationships, and I am writing this article as a pep talk for myself as much as for anyone who resonates with this idea.

Guilt is not fuel. History is not enough. Feigned closeness is deception.

Be honest. Have more time for real relationships. Live in truth.

SEE ALSO: 9 fascinating books about the greatest friendships in politics

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A psychiatrist reveals 5 ways to have healthy and meaningful relationships

Beyoncé and Jay-Z have one of the most famous yet most private relationships in the world. And while we're usually begging for scraps of information about the couple through their song lyrics, a timeline of their courtship has gotten clearer and clearer over the years.

We've compiled everything you need to know about the Carters and their relationship, including babies, a secret wedding, and even allegations of infidelity. 

1999-2000: The pair met

Jay and Bey historians remain torn on the exact date they met, but Beyoncé told Seventeen Magazine that they were introduced when she was 18, so that would have been somewhere between September of 1999 and August of 2000.

2001: They began dating

Though they did not confirm it at the time, Jay-Z later admitted that the pair began dating sometime in 2001, the same time they both appeared on a Vanity Fair shoot. Beyoncé said they began their romance by spending "a year and a half" on the phone.

“We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates,” she told Oprah Winfrey in an OWN interview later. “We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important."

2002: They began collaborating

Though they were still trying to convince the world that they were not dating, they released their track "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" and filmed a music video together in their first collaboration of many to come. 

There's never a shortage of celebrity drama.

Whether they're rocking the no-makeup look on a red carpet or photoshopping themselves at the beach, the world has an opinion.

And everyone certainly had an opinion when these dramatic love triangles came to light.

From secret affairs to cheating scandals, here are 14 of the most talked about celebrity love triangles to ever come out of Hollywood. 

Kate Hudson, Alex Rodriguez, and Cameron Diaz

Alex Rodriguez is no stranger to dating high-profile women, having dated Madonna and currently being linked to Jennifer Lopez.

In 2008, A-Rod was reportedly dating actress Kate Hudson. She was photographed at his games time and time again, and was even hailed his good luck charm when the Yankees won the World Series in 2009. 

Their relationship only lasted a few months, and it took him next to no time to find someone new. Weeks after things came to a halt with Hudson, he was seen getting cozy with Cameron Diaz. 

Rumors started flying that Diaz was only dating him as revenge, because Hudson allegedly hooked up with Justin Timberlake right after he and Diaz broke up in early 2007. 

Jude Law, Sienna Miller, and Daniel Craig

News of Jude Law's affair with his children's nanny was one of the most talked about scandals of the mid-2000s. It even led to him and Sienna Miller calling off their engagement.

They gave it a second shot after letting the dust settle, but broke up for good in early 2011. The couple went their separate ways and didn't share headlines again until 2014, when it was revealed that Miller and Law were victims of the "News of the World" phone hacks. 

During the testimonies they had to give in 2014, Law and Miller both admitted to being caught up in a 2005 love triangle with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, which was revealed by a voicemail Miller left for Craig in which she says "I love you."

What was once just rumor and speculation became fact when Miller detailed her "brief encounter" with Craig, her "Layer Cake" co-star at the time. She did make sure to note that the "I love you" at the end of the recording wasn't as big of a deal as people made it out to be. 

"The thing that's been slightly misconstrued about this voicemail message is the fact that I said "I love you" and that this was some incredibly important declaration of love. I've always ended my phone calls to Daniel saying 'love you,'" she said.

Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis

While Mila Kunis wasn't the woman that caused Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore's divorce, there have been years of back and forth for everyone involved.

Kunis has admitted that she's always had a crush on her "That '70s Show" co-star, whom she met on set when she was just 14. He was even her first kiss! However, she was dating Macaulay Culkin while Kutcher was seeing Moore. 

Coincidentally, both of those long-term couples called it quits in 2011, and within a few short months Kunis and Kutcher were spotted all over town together. Kunis revealed that it started as a friends with benefits situation, but has since obviously evolved, as the two are married with a child.

As for Moore, sources say that she was (and still is) frustrated by the sudden romance, and has even asked friends not to mention their wedding. On top of that, it's also been reported that she won't stop calling him.

Emotional infidelity is murky territory — which is why it's easy to lie to yourself about the way your relationship with a "friend" is progressing.

Yes, your heart skips a beat when you see a message from them and yes, the time you spend with your partner is starting to look increasingly dull. But it's not like you've confessed your love to each other or anything, so you're not guilty of any wrongdoing. Right? Right?!

This is where it helps to bring in someone more objective. Sheri Meyers is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the author of "Chatting or Cheating"— she's heard it all when it comes to infidelity.

Meyers told Business Insider that, if you're really not sure whether you're currently involved in an emotional affair (or "emotional sex," as she calls it), you can use the three S's to figure it out: secrecy, shared intimacy, and sexual energy.

Let's break down those signs.

Secrecy means "you're starting to become secretive about how much time you're thinking about, spending with, interacting with this friend," Meyers said. "You're starting to say things to the person that you aren't telling your partner, and you wouldn't be interacting with this person when your partner's around."

Here's a classic example of a secretive relationship: You're texting your friend when your partner walks into the room and you immediately put the phone down.

Shared intimacy happens when your friend becomes your "emotional confidante," Meyers said. In other words, you've started telling your friend the type of things that, at one time, you would only tell your partner.

Sexual energy is another key component of an emotional affair — even if it doesn't manifest in anything physical. "You are drawn to this person, whether you act on it or not. There's this underlying sexual energy and chemistry," Meyers said. "It almost feels bigger than you."

In fact, Meyers said, sexual energy can (and often does) exist even if you've never met the person, and only chatted with them online.

Ultimately, the three S's indicate that your friendship is evolving in a way that could threaten your commitment to your partner.

As Meyers writes in "Chatting or Cheating,""Most people feel the three S's should be reserved exclusively for their primary relationship, and often feel betrayed if they are shared with anyone else."

SEE ALSO: 9 facts about cheating that couples — and singles — should know

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How to save your relationship after cheating

Wearing a full face of makeup or a $5,000 custom-fit suit might very well make you more attractive — for a day.

If you're looking to make yourself more appealing for the long term, focus on developing a stellar personality.

Business Insider asked a panel of dating and relationship experts for their best tips on becoming more attractive — without changing your physical appearance. Each one came up with creative and easy-to-implement strategies that will help you a) score a date and b) cultivate a lasting relationship.

Read on to learn how to become the very best version of yourself.

SEE ALSO: The 8 most attractive qualities people look for in a partner

Be more interested; be less interesting

That's according to Hal Runkel, marriage and family therapist and author of "Choose Your Own Adulthood." Specifically, he recommends: "Ask more follow-up questions about others, instead of impressing with stories about yourself."

Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist and author of "The Anatomy of Love," said much the same thing: "Ask a potential partner about himself or herself. Most people enjoy those who are curious about them and are likely to find you more attractive, friendly, and interesting."

Diversify your experiences

"When you have a wide range of interests outside of work and an eclectic group of friends, you’re naturally more fascinating to potential partners," said Joseph Burgo, psychotherapist and author of "The Narcissist You Know."

"Workaholics and people who take little interest in the world around them make poor conversationalists and bring little to the relationship table."

Smile

"It’s a sure way to make yourself more attractive to others," Fisher said.

"When you smile, those who see your smile, smile back, even if very briefly. And as they smile, they use facial muscles which trigger the release of neurochemicals in their brain associated with feelings of pleasure — and they are thus likely to feel happy in your company.

"So smile: It’s cheap, easy and a primordial mechanism for making friends and finding a mate."

An "emotional affair" is hard to define — it can be tricky to know if you're having one, and perhaps even trickier to figure out if your partner is.

That said, there are a few red flags to look out for if you suspect that your partner has romantic feelings for someone else, even if they haven't acted on them physically. In her 2012 book, "Chatting or Cheating," licensed marriage and family therapist Sheri Meyers outlines some key indicators that your partner might be involved in an emotional affair.

Below, Business Insider has rounded up nine of those warning signs. Remember: Just because you recognize some of these behaviors in your partner doesn't necessarily mean they've been unfaithful.

But if you're really starting to get worried, it's a good idea to articulate your concerns to your partner and give them a chance to explain themselves.

SEE ALSO: The most insidious type of cheating isn't physical — here are 8 signs it could be happening to you

Your partner is spending more time on the computer and/or phone

A sudden strong attachment to digital devices could be a red flag.

Meyers writes: "Your partner may 'stiffen' when you enter the room, or put the phone away suddenly. They may have increased activity or text messaging but are more difficult to get  ahold of when out of the house."

Your partner wants more space and time to themselves

If your partner really is having an emotional affair, they may try to distance themselves from you.

"They want to do their own thing more often and become indifferent to doing things together and offer excuses about not planning or committing to future trips, vacations, and family visits," Meyers writes.

When you argue, your partner's fallback position is about your relationship ending

During conflicts, your partner may say something like, "What would you do if our relationship ended?" or perhaps something even more alarming like, "If anything ever happened to us, I would always love you like a friend."

"In general," Meyers writes, "they seem overtly negative about your relationship," as opposed to interested in trying to repair it.