Cancer Season (June 22-July 22) is upon us, so if someone born under this sign has caught your attention, be prepared for some serious loving! Cancers are the nurturers of the zodiac; if you’re not into being pampered, adored and cuddled up on, I suggest you date a Capricorn.

With that being said, be sure to set boundaries as these crabby characters can be a bit smothering with their affection and need for attention. Governed by the element of water, Cancers value peace and tranquility. Family and relationships are extremely important to them, and they often make sacrifices for their loved ones that can go unnoticed. Though Cancerians may a bit passive in nature, that doesn’t mean they don’t have tempers. If you piss them off they may complain and eventually get over it, but it’s best to note your offense. To find out how to snag one, peep the five tips below. Just make sure you’re ready to be vulnerable.

1) Exercise EXTREME patience.

The Cancer man or woman is slow to move when it comes to matters of the heart. Yes, they go off of feelings a lot, but their symbol is the crab, meaning they have a tough exterior but a very squishy interior. In other words, they’re soft as hell! Cancers are the more guarded water signs of the zodiac, so exercising patienceno matter how difficult it may bewill not go unnoticed in their eyes.

2) Be open and honest.

Cancers are sneaky. No if, ands or buts about it. You have to ask to right questions with them, and they tend to withhold more information than you’d like. But that’s just temporary. Remember that hard exterior I mentioned above? Yeah. You gotta break through that right there, and to do so, you have to (gently) be open and honest about your intentions. Cancers like to think the best of people, so they frequently ignore signs of bad ju ju. This doesn’t mean their intuition isn’t on lock; they’re just stubborn and want what they want. Sincerity can’t be faked with them. So if you want their heart, you better have your honesty cards on deck.

3) Be sensual and affectionate.

Whether a Cancer is a freak in the sheets is debatable. But what isn’t is the fact that they are sensual lovers. While a rushed and primal act of sex with no foreplay may work for a Sagittarius, Gemini or Virgo, you’ve got to take your time and SEDUCE the Cancer man or woman. Making love on a bed of roses isn’t extra to them—it’s necessary.

4) Make connections with their family and close friends.

If you do not like a Cancer’s best friend or mother, they might still give you a chance, but it will stress them the hell out. This water sign wants everyone to get along, and they love unity. Any form of tension creates stress and anxiety in the one place they find solace. For Cancers, home is truly where the heart is.

5) Give a damn.

Unlike the aloof and fiercely independent Aquarius, Cancers need to know that you care. You must take interest in their passions and hobbies, because their professional gigs are often tied to causes they believe in. No, you don’t have to scream to the hills how much you love whatever they’re into, but at least show some sort of interest in their pursuits. Cancers are all about partnership and togetherness. A nonchalant attitude will not go far with them.

To many, Cancers can be a bit much on the emotional tip, but they’re actually quite amazing once you work to understand them. And they truly have a love that’s best described as one-of-a-kind.