Last week, I tried to find some light reading to help get away from the heaviness of world news. I came across a few stories to make me rethink the idea that romance is dead.

Whether married, living together or in a long-term relationship there are moments romance takes a back seat. Surely, you understand how easy it can be to swap the sexy for comfort. The humdrum of daily life and people’s nature to get snug in the same spot makes us all bit lazy. Men and women are complicated beings making relationship work challenging. We may wholeheartedly love our mates. Unfortunately, it’s quite common to lose the spark in any union. I ask – do we stop trying when we get too secure in our relationships?

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, currently on their world tour together have been married 21 years. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake have been married almost 6 years. Barbara Streisand and James Brolin just celebrated a 20th anniversary. Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee have been together 12 years.

Over the past week, they have all demonstrated in some way how the enamored stage doesn’t have to end with courtship. Streisand is quoted as saying “I don’t think you can take each other for granted.” I think she hit the nail on the head on that one! The first phase of a relationship has us wanting to know all we can about the object of our affection. There are dozens of romantic dates. You’re probably on a first name basis with your flower guy as you might be receiving beautiful arrangements often. Planning sweet getaways fill weekends with cheer. Everything is wonderful as all eyes are on you. Attention to detail is overwhelming making you feel like the only girl in the world. The courtship period is the time to impress showing how amazing you are until reality sets into the relationship. Everyone has faults which we don’t initially see. We show ourselves in the best light possible not to ruin the fantasy. An attempt to hide the true self is useless. It always creeps in at various levels. Weeks, months and years pass while we learn about one another. In the meantime, we enjoy dates filled with flowers, candles, gifts and tender displays of admiration.

Time is cruel at times moving too fast. Our lives are jam-packed with hundreds of responsibilities that take most of our energy. It can be very easy to take things for granted. We forget love must be nurtured in order for it to mushroom. It’s like the plant that needs water for growth. Quenching its thirst will help display beautiful life seen in its color and texture. Our relationships need romance to foster the connection born from love. Our affinity is a reflection of the care we give it. These intimate moments help bring you closer together. If you are committed to making it work. Try bringing bit of romance back inside your nook.

Here are 3 Ways to Possibly Start a Romantic Fire – Minus the Matches!

  1. Taking each other for granted is a relationship killer! Don’t assume your partner will always be there – show appreciation for the little things they do. Say “thank you” because it goes a long way. It feels good to know you care. Show love for your partner. There are couples that have been together for decades. Things can become too familiar or routine but don’t think for a minute your partner is like those old socks you like to wear around the house. Absolutely, not a great way to keep the fires burning! It won’t demonstrate how grateful you are they are in your life. Communicate to ensure this is reciprocal. A one-way effort will never work.
  2. Plan dates and put them on the calendar. It doesn’t have to be expensive but it should be out of the house. The distractions at home can dampen the mood. Plan ahead, if childcare is not possible. Put the children to bed then try a movie night with your favorite cocktail or bottle of wine at home. Make an effort for one another to spend an hour or two as a couple. Laugh, connect, get re-acquainted with the person you are when you are with your significant other. Day-to-day crumbles personalities and you need to remember who you are together.
  3. Show eachother you can be creative. Monotony will turn the lights off in the bedroom and everywhere else in your house over time. Show some excitement and mystery when you woo each other! Our significant others are the ones we are supposed to trust and feel comfortable with in our hearts and life. Don’t shy away from planning a small surprise to put a smile on that face.

Celebrities or those in affluent households can afford to buy all types of romance. Money doesn’t buy love or happiness. Life is made up of the tiniest meaningful moments that we miss sometimes while trying to look at a big picture.

HINT: The romance is in the love and intention behind your gesture.

“Protected content. 2018 awakened-woman.com”

Originally published at awakened-woman.com

Author(s)

  • Yvette Bodden, Awakened-Woman

    Founder, Author, Writer for BELatina

    Awakened-Woman

    As the founder and sole writer behind Awakened-Woman, a digital platform designed to inspire and invigorate females, author Yvette Bodden writes with endless empathy. In just two years, AW has amassed over 15,000 followers, thanks to a dynamic collection of over 300 articles centered on relationships, love, abuse, motherhood, and Latino culture, infused with a signature blend of Yvette’s pragmatism and compassion. Yvette’s words have also appeared on Thrive Global, media maven Arianna Huffington’s portal dedicated to ending the global stress and burnout epidemic, and BELatina Magazine, where she profiles celebrities like Latin Grammy Award-winner Luis Fonsi and television actor, Joe Minoso. Her debut book, A Journey to Becoming the Best Self (Black Rose Writing)—part memoir and part prescriptive fiction, inspired by Yvette’s own post-divorce path from devastation to joy—was published in 2019, and received praise from The U.S. Review of Books.  As a single mother based in New York City—a metropolis she credits for her open mind—Yvette regularly channels her own growth experiences. She has contributed to outlets like SmartCoparent and DivorceHub, authoring articles that focus on maintaining financial health through personal crises. Ultimately, Yvette’s writing, which seeks to empower and encourage women searching for personalized definitions of success, is an effort to build strong communities through vulnerable and powerful storytelling.