Every marriage needs a healthy dose of on-going romance to add spice, delight, and fun to the relationship. It's not enough to just start out with a sizzling romance. You have to find a way to keep the romance alive as the months and years accumulate.
One of the marital challenges many couples face is how to live together without losing that special romantic spark. It's all-too-easy to lose the role of lover along the way. When this happens, spouses often start relating to each other as they would to a friend or a sibling. Parents can begin to feel they are only "business partners" joined together to raise their children and keep the household running.
How can you keep romance alive when your daily work schedule is grueling, you're always short on time and energy, and you're not sure what to do? Here are ten tips to help you sprinkle romance into your marriage:
1. Pay attention when your spouse mentions things he or she likes or expresses interest in something that could make a good gift, such as a new CD, a book, or theater/concert/sports tickets. Be on the lookout for ideas for birthday, holiday, and anniversary gifts, plus "no reason" surprise gifts. It's very flattering to know that someone really tried to find a gift that was just what you wanted.
2. Frequently offer foot massages, shoulder massages, and full-body massages to your spouse. You'll get plenty of romantic brownie points in your "relationship bank account" if you keep some great-smelling lotion handy and take ten minutes to massage your spouse's tired feet at the end of a long work day. Note: If you expect to be rewarded for your efforts by sex, you won't accumulate any points for being romantic. Your spouse will just think you have an ulterior motive when you offer a massage in the future.
3. Giving sweet cards and letters to your spouse can be romantic, as can emails and phone messages that share your feelings and passion. Handwritten letters sent through the mail are becoming more and more of a rarity. That's good for you because that means your spouse will think you're really romantic for taking the time to write a love letter by hand and mail it. That will make more of an impact than just sending an email if you want to get extra brownie points.
4. Another way to be romantic is to look for opportunities to pamper and spoil your spouse. That might be letting a spouse sleep in late while you watch the kids, or it could be telling your partner to sit down and relax while you clean up after dinner. The key is in the delivery of the offer. You might say, "Nothing's too good for my sweetheart" or "You're such a love. It's fun to pamper you." You can accompany your words with a hug or kiss
5. Talking in front of your spouse to someone else about your partner's good points is romantic. Take full advantage of opportunities to say, 'I'm so lucky to have such a supportive wife (or husband)-she's such a treasure. I'm a lucky man." You can also do this when you're talking on the phone and know that your spouse is within listening range. If you're not sure your partner heard you, when you get off the phone ask, "Did you hear me telling my sister what a great husband you are? I was really bragging on you!"
6. In the romance department, flowers, plants, candy, or a special home-cooked meal never go out of favor. Many females love to receive beautiful fresh flowers or a box of delicious chocolate candy. Both husbands and wives can appreciate the efforts of a partner to put together an intimate, special home-cooked meal by candlelight with music playing and flowers on the table.
7. Surprise your spouse with a framed picture of the two of you in a setting that will bring back pleasant memories. Another option is to frame a picture of your spouse that shows him or her in a flattering way and let your partner know how much you love the photo. Keep it on your nightstand, computer, dresser, or desk and let your spouse see you looking at it admiringly.
8. Take the initiative to plan a surprise weekend outing. Call and make all the arrangements ahead of time. The outing doesn't have to be expensive or complex. It might be as simple as planning a picnic at a nearby scenic spot. You might prepare the surprise picnic lunch when your spouse is in the shower. Or you might make arrangements for a restaurant to pack a gourmet lunch for the two of you that you could pick up on your way out of town.
9. Music that you and your spouse both like can set a romantic tone. If you see a movie that you both enjoyed a lot, you might consider buying the sound track as a surprise gift the following week. You could also select a song that you both like and decide to make it "your song." Or you could pick a song and tell your spouse that it reminds you of him or her for some positive reason.
10. Celebrate every occasion you can think of-the anniversary of the day you met, when you became engaged, your marriage anniversary, your birthdays, seeing the full moon, and anything else you can come up with. You can toast with champagne (or non-alcoholic champagne) and perhaps have a celebration meal. But it can be just as fun to make a big deal out of going out for an ice cream cone to celebrate.
Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" This is available at http://www.keepyourmarriage.com, where you can also sign up for the free weekly Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine to get ideas and support for improving your marriage.
expert residential cleaners Deerfield ..If you are at all familiar with Las Vegas, you... Read More
Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry... Read More
So you're having a wedding anniversary. Congratulations! It's quite a... Read More
Looking for beach theme wedding cake ideas?When it comes to... Read More
The term and role "Maid of Honor" is sometimes confusing,... Read More
The great day has come and gone, and you are... Read More
An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
Computer printed labels are a time-saver, but they make the... Read More
The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an... Read More
The Arizona Inn is just the place that you are... Read More
The bridesmaid gift is essential to the planning of a... Read More
You've probably heard about Save the Dates since they have... Read More
If bar-hopping and male strippers aren't the bride's idea of... Read More
If you've been around long enough, you're aware of the... Read More
Your groomsmen will be donating their time to your big... Read More
Weddings are memorable events couples and their families want to... Read More
Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential... Read More
One of my favorite parts about the wedding, is the... Read More
If you're getting married, a Bridal Show is a great... Read More
Choosing a wedding anniversary gift that wows your husband or... Read More
When you think about couples who renew their wedding vows,... Read More
So you've been in that perfect relationship for some time... Read More
WHAT HAS WORKED FOR USBrief Reflections On Enjoying 36 Years... Read More
Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on... Read More
So, you've just got engaged.Whether you are a man or... Read More
cleaning help near Highland Park ..Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point... Read More
Weddings are made in heaven, they say, but they have... Read More
Brides have always worn white, right? Not so. In ancient... Read More
Just like anywhere else in America, there are a variety... Read More
Once you've mortgaged the rest of your life for the... Read More
The tempo of the music begins to rise. Drums begin... Read More
Every bride would agree that her wedding dress should be... Read More
If you're getting married, a Bridal Show is a great... Read More
How many times has your anniversary come around and you... Read More
Well you may not become a billionaire or even a... Read More
My husband and I have a perfect marriage.There. I said... Read More
Hearing that your cheating spouse is "in love" with someone... Read More
Over the past years I have performed at many, many... Read More
As an experienced counselor, one of the questions I'm asked... Read More
Every couple wants wonderful photos of their wedding day that... Read More
You can look fabulous at your daughter's wedding in a... Read More
Increasing numbers of American brides are thinking about doing the... Read More
If the fires of passion in your marriage have been... Read More
As most of you know the evening festivities for a... Read More
Thanking your wedding party with special gifts is a favored... Read More
Beth and Tom were happily married for over 25 years... Read More
As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More
For many brides, the wedding ceremony starts long before they... Read More
Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition... Read More
You have your band (around your finger), now it's time... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |