Keeping Romance Alive Year Round

Have you ever noticed that one day out of the year, romance is in the air and everyone is rushing to find the perfect roses and chocolates to impress their honey? That sums up Valentines Day around here. While its nice to receive these things and feel loved on Valentines Day, its also a little sad. Romance should not be confined to one day out of the year, or two if your married and celebrating anniversaries. It should be an everyday occurrence. The problem is, we become comfortable in our relationships and believe the work and effort put in to impressing and wooing is over. Try again Bucky Boy! Its far from over.

I have often heard its easy to get the one you want but hard to keep them. Oh, how true this is. If someone is not happy in a relationship, then the first instinct is to move on. For this reason, romance and love should be at the forefront to keep the sparks flying and the relationship from going stale. No woman wants to see a man hollering for beer in dirty clothes with the game on television day in and day out. Its not attractive. No man wants to see a woman wandering the house all day in slippers and a nightgown nagging him over the most minute things. Its not attractive either. So what do we do to keep romance alive and keep love strong?

The first step is to put yourself on the back burner. Your spouse is the one who should be thinking of you, not you. You should be thinking of your spouse. Try to cater to his or her needs before your own and let him or her do the same for you. You will both get what you need and be happier for it. Second, little gestures go a long way. Romance doesn't have to be an intricate act that takes weeks to plan. Spontaneity is often more romantic that drawn out plans. Add candles to mealtime or petals to the bedroom floor and you have created a romantic atmosphere on the spur of the moment. Even something as simple as taking your spouse in your arms to dance, in your living room creates a feeling of love and appreciation. Third, do things for your spouse just because. You don't have to have a reason to do something special such as send flowers or buy a nicely worded card. This lets your spouse or significant other know that you are thinking of just them at any given time. Leaving little notes around the house with terms of endearment or simply cooking a favorite meal also go a long way in the small gesture department.

Fourth is a biggie and really important for both your relationship and well-being. Never go to bed angry. We all have arguments and little tiffs. Its how we work them out as a couple that speaks to our relationship and trust. Always work things out before bedtime to create a clean slate for the next day and prevent harboring bad feelings. Another reminder, never harp on arguments and use them at a later date to throw in your spouse's face. We all make mistakes and none of us are perfect. A relationship built on trust and teamwork paves the way for romance and lasting love. Fifth, never put work or social networking before your relationship. Too many wives and husbands have been heard complaining they have to compete for attention with a television, computer, work or social circle. Its not fair that your spouse should endure this. When one feels neglected, the love and respect they hold for you can diminish, eventually ending the relationship. Get your priorities in order. Never put your relationship last.

These things I have learned from experience in my own marriage. My husband and I have both been guilty of a few of these "do nots" and have had to learn how to be more romantic towards each other despite this. I believe our relationship is now stronger for the wear. Now, get out there and rekindle that spark! Trust me, you won't regret it.