OK, so we can all admit that trying to keep your relationship hot is a little hard today, even if you think you have a wonderful relationship with your significant other. With jobs, routines, kids, home obligations, cooking, and much more, IT IS TOUGH! No doubt, most of us are ready to get some z’s as soon as our head hits the pillow. Trying to find time to spend with your mate is hard enough, but trying to add romance is close to impossible, especially if you have kids.

Romance does not require much work but Is one of the least implemented practices in a lot of relationships today. With our lives being so busy we tend to not make time for romance, which is setting a relationship up for failure quick! Romance should be used every day, and no I am not just talking about sex! Yes, there are many of us that try to be romantic, but on another level, a lot of people just do not know how. It’s simple if you just try and be yourself, and just let life take its course. Appreciate your partner for their efforts, EVEN if falling a bit shy of your expectations.

Communication is another huge factor. Happy relationships are the ones that take the time to sit down and talk to one another about personal things, not just bills and maintaining the household. Getting down to a more personal and deeper level with your partner is proven to help your relationship long term.

So how can you keep your relationship young? How can you keep that spark that you had when you first started dating? I am going to give you five ways to help your relationship stay young!

1. Show Appreciation

No matter how long you have been together, never forget to show your partner gratitude. Everyone needs to know they are wanted, and appreciated. In the beginning, we all cherish every single moment with our partners. When time passes we tend to forget to show each other how much we appreciate them.

A simple thank you even for small things like cleaning the house or doing the clothes.
Leaving a note on your partners pillow that you love them or on the bathroom mirror with lipstick, eyeliner anything you can write with!

2. Make Time For Just the Two of You

As couples grow and get older life takes over. You move from day to day in a routine, and get used to it. How did you make time for just the two of you before now? We planned everything out, so why not now?

Make a date night. Date nights are great for busy couples, especially couples with children. Put it on the calendar and mark it down as “MANDANTORY”! You have plenty of time to find a sitter, make reservations, or plan a candle light dinner at home!
Make time to snuggle and watch an adult movie! NO KIDS ALLOWED! Trust me you need this!

3. Be Spontaneous

If you remember at the beginning of your relationship everything was completely brand new! Everything excited you both, no matter what it was. You made each other weak in the knees and was excited to do anything together. No need to stop the excitement as the years go by, make their heart skip a beat forever!

Take a mountain trip, go for a hike, or the ocean if that is closer to you. Go sit in the sand and watch the waves move it. Play in the water like kids, find your fun side again.
Love making on the living room floor? Why not! Break the house rules a little and show your partner how much they mean to you. No need for the bedroom every time now, your adults!

4. Stay Open With Each Other

As I have stated before communication is a big factor in a relationship and helps couples grow closer and create bonds. You learn more about each other on a more personal level. Intimacy is the key!

Talk to each other, ask how their day went. If you or your partner had a bad day, ask them if they want to talk about it. It may feel good to know they can rant to you, and that you care about them enough to listen.
Be honest no matter what. Honesty in a relationship can work wonders. If something is bothering you about your significant other, TELL THEM! You do not have to be rude about it, but you can talk to them.

5. Be Your Partners Best Friend

There are so many reasons why your best friend should be your significant other! While some people believe that it is healthy to have a best friend outside the relationship, to keep you social and not cut off from the world, I would not disagree with this. But, there is no reason why your number one best friend cannot be your partner!

Have fun and be silly. Go to an amusement park, or the park. Get out and enjoy life, do not take it so serious all the time. Your family and friends have already seen the both of you and witnessed your good and your bad sides. They have seen you both act like kids whether it be an argument or two lovebirds madly in love that cannot keep their hands off each other.
Play games. Pick some games out that you would both enjoy playing together, whether it be an electronic game or board game. You had so much fun as kids playing games with your friends, why not have this much fun playing games with your partner.

Relationships can be tricky sometimes trying to juggle family life and your intimate life. There is no need to just give up on it though. Famous quote: “If you do not use it, you lose it”? Right!? I firmly believe this. It may take a little more effort on your part to make it work, but eventually, it will be a part of your everyday routine and there will be no effort needed!

I hope you enjoyed this blog. Please comment on your experiences or more ways that you keep your relationship young! I would love to hear from everyone! Do not forget to share this blog, there are so many people out there that has lost sight of what is important in a relationship and do not even realize it. Until next time my friends. Look out for my next relationship blog!

Yours Truly,

Heather D. Gantt