Ah, the age-old question of how to keep the spark alive in a relationship. I'm by no means a credentialed relationship expert, but I can tell you that in my four years of being with my partner, we've done a pretty good job at maintaining that love momentum. Sure, there are times when we simply enjoy the quiet familiarity of each other, and even times when we quarrel or get frustrated with each other, but we also make a serious effort to keep the fire we have for each other burning.
And while four years isn't very long in the grand scheme of the life we plan on sharing together, it is long enough to leave the honeymoon phase and enter real life together. And so far, that real life has been pretty amazing. Here's how we do it, and why I feel confident the sparks will keep flying as time goes on.
The other night, after a long day of work followed by an hour at the gym , my boyfriend told me he was going to make dinner for us while I showered and blow-dried my hair. He showed appreciation for me by making dinner when he knew I was tired. This, of course, is just one small way we show appreciation for each other that makes a big impact. Sometimes appreciation happens quickly and in passing. Maybe it's thanking each other for taking care of a household chore, dropping the other person off at the airport, or picking up their coffee order.
And sometimes, it's just as simple as saying "You're awesome" via text message. Stepping outside of our comfort zones together is one of the quickest ways to foster those feel-good love vibes.
Sure, it requires a lot of mental stimulation and it can be super nerve-wracking, but tackling new things as a pair is one of the best ways we maintain that spark. For example, we recently decided to try skiing for the first time ever, and let's just say there were lots of laughs and tears. But trying new things doesn't always have to be quite as intense. For example, sampling new cuisine together, trying a challenging recipe, or walking through a new exhibit at the local museum are all good options.
