Love + Sex

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Daily Dose Of Romance: Keep The Love Alive

Sometime between "I do" and the rest of your life, you might find the spark that once made your marriage exciting is, well, fizzling. The love is there, it's just… Buried under a lot of laundry, the bathroom that needs repainting, and the long hours at work…. How, in between working, running a house, and raising a family, are you supposed to find time to be romantic?

 


Actually, it's easier than you might think. And here's a cheat sheet with 10 quick ideas that won't take more than five minutes each. Try just one a day for the next 10 days, and see if you haven't rediscovered romance.

 

1. Email your spouse with a quick note to say how much you appreciate something specific. For example: "Thanks for taking the trash out today! Made my morning go much more smoothly!"

 

2. Leave a loving message on his cell phone voice mail. You really can "just call to say I love you." You can go the sexy route or just plain say, " I wanted you to know I was thinking of you."

 

3. Stick a note in his backpack or briefcase or whatever he carries to work each day. "Have a great day!" Decorating with stickers is optional.

 

4. Sweeten his day with a doughnut or another breakfast treat -- box it up and leave it on the counter or in his car the night before. Or get up early and make him a specialty coffee to go. Try this copycat recipe for a mocha Frappucino. http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/starbucksmochafrap.htm

 

5. Deliver lunch -- or at least have it delivered to him at the office if you know he's having a particularly stressful day. Call his favorite take-out place and dish up something delicious.

 

6. Lighten his load by taking care of his dry cleaning or some other errand he normally handles. When he asks, just say, "I took care of it." And smile.

 

7. Send a text like "Miss you already" right after he leaves in the morning.

 

8. Order something special from his Amazon wishlist or another trusted source. For no reason. Just because. Think of it as the equivalent of flowers.

 

9. Mail a card to him at home or at work. Go funny, sexy, romantic, or whatever, but choose something that will speak to him, and take the time to write a personal note. Bonus points if you write about a shared memory from the early days of your courtship.

 

10. Say "I love you," face to face, unprompted -- and not right after sex.

 

No matter how long you've been together and how far from romance your mind is these days, you can recapture the magic that once brought you together. Invest a little time in your spouse, and you'll love the rewards you reap.

 

 

For more on romance and parenting on SheKnows.com:
10 Fun spring date ideas
Sex after baby
How to recharge your relationship over the weekend

Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 73
  • *devotion72's Avatar
    Posted by *devotion72 Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:39am PDT

    I do massages by surprise...he loves those!

    He will run me a bubble bath with some relaxing music! MMMMM!

    Report Abuse
  • VK's Avatar
    Posted by VK Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:15pm PDT

    What do women get?

    Report Abuse
  • Joe's Avatar
    Posted by Joe Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:34pm PDT

    yeah, i wanna know what women get?! i do this stuff for my husband and it just creates more work for me, with nothing in return. it's like he dosen't even think anything of it 9 times out of 10.

    Report Abuse
  • KittyKat's Avatar
    Posted by KittyKat Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:19pm PDT

    Marot 29 I agree totally with you. I do lots of those things for my boyfriend. Notes, love yous, etc. Never once does he do anything out of the ordinary for me.

    Report Abuse
  • Nose's Avatar
    Posted by Nose Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:58pm PDT

    Yeah, I think of all the things I did for my exboyfriend (he's an ex for this reason) and he did nothing. Once I spent 40 bucks in supplies to make this fabulous Valentines Day card for him....took 3 hrs to make.......he gave me....NOTHING in return. Said he couldn't find a card 'good enough' for me. I still stayed with him after that. But during our entire 6 yrs of togetherness......I gave him long hand written letters, cards, little gifts, CDs, all sorts of things and surprises. And nothing from him. Oh......wait...once he gave me a water filter. Romantic, huh? Ever since I broke up with him, my mental, physical, emotional, spiritual health has been great. Good riddance. He was a clueless, cheap, mental malfunct, with serious issues.

    Report Abuse
  • BUDDYBUDD's Avatar
    Posted by BUDDYBUDD Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:08pm PDT

    Maybe I am different than most men, but I do love to "surprise" my wife of 45 years with a unexpected card or flower.

    Helping her cook meals, clean the house or other chores is a way of saying I LOVE YOU.

    Not only is she my wife, but also my BEST FRIEND.... my life would be very meaningless without her in it. She is a cancer survivor and I probably tell her >>I LOVE YOU 50+ times a day.

    If you do not share a close bond with your spouse, then you are missing something special in your marriage.

    Report Abuse
  • Jennifer's Avatar
    Posted by Jennifer Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:11pm PDT

    You ladies are scarring me. I am back in the dating scene and you all leave me no hope. Please someone tell me there are Romeo's out there.

    Report Abuse
  • Mrs. Carol B's Avatar
    Posted by Mrs. Carol B Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:13pm PDT

    We do all of these on a regular basis except for #8. Instead I'll paint him a special picture and he'll put some special flowers in my garden.

    Report Abuse
  • Mrs. Carol B's Avatar
    Posted by Mrs. Carol B Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:16pm PDT

    Hey allen.jenni72, there are romeo's out there. I have one. Wait and yours will find you. Let your light shine and he'll be attracted to it.

    Good luck.

    Report Abuse
  • Mrs. Carol B's Avatar
    Posted by Mrs. Carol B Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:17pm PDT

    We do all of these on a regular basis except for #8. Instead I'll paint him a special picture and he'll put some special flowers in my garden.

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 73

leave your comment

You must sign in to post a comment

Sign In for personalized information

New User? Sign Up

Updates Chatter on Shine…

Love Byte

Skip the multiple-choice quiz, and read up on if you're a mom, a nag, too clingy, or perfect in every way. Aren't we all?