Springtime is usually the time when love is in the air, but summer romances also open the door for summer infidelity. A long vacation away from each other and you don't know what will happen.

Typically, nothing, but occasionally the draw of the long, hot summer nights, a little drinking, and a sexy person next to you at the bonfires can spell trouble for the already troubled relationship.

If the two of you have agreed to take your vacations separately and have no intention of seeing other people while out there, and then you happen to meet someone else while you're out and about, the first thing you should do is think it through. How long have you been together, and what do you stand to lose from cheating? Hurting someone else is never a good idea, especially if your partner has been faithful and supportive through your relationship.

Sometimes, though, things just happen. You have no intention of breaking up with your partner, and you feel terrible. You need to tell the person you cheated with. This means falling on your sword, as it were, and admitting that you've made a mistake. This most likely means that you are going to hurt the person you just had an affair with, but the sooner you get honest, the better. Saying nothing and then going home, only to have to dodge calls from them or avoid them is unfair to everyone involved.

Do you tell your partner that you cheated on them? That is a very private matter. The answer is determined by how well you'll be able to sleep at night and live with yourself. How badly will it hurt them, will they be able to forgive you and move on, or would telling them be the end of the line? There is no easy answer. Telling your partner that you cheated in order to make yourself feel better is low and only shows how selfish you really are. Not telling them so you won't get in trouble is also low. The question you need to ask yourself is what is your motive for wanting to tell them?

If you're unhappy with your relationship, cheating is not necessary, just bite the bullet and break up. If you love your partner but are thinking about cheating, then there is something missing from your relationship and you need to talk about it before you decide to cheat. Open communication from the beginning is the best thing you can do for all involved, as cheating hurts three people; you, your partner, and the poor hapless sap that got in the middle.
Wounds can be healed after an affair. Couples forgive and move on, the problem is that they do not forget, and you maybe in for years of testing and proving that you are trustworthy. The bottom line is that it just doesn't seem to be worth it.