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A Family Affair
Simple Ways to Keep Romance Alive with Kids Underfoot
By Amy Carey
Remember that romance doesn't have to mean hours of time spent alone or designated date nights. "It doesn't take much to let your partner know you are thinking of them," says Shoshanna. "Tiny gifts likes flowers, notes, candy, tickets to a baseball game, can go a long way." Post a sticky note on your spouse's dashboard with a message letting him know you'll be thinking of him. Leave him a voice mail just to tell him you love him.
"Before leaving for work, a hug, stroke or kiss keep the connection going," Shoshanna says. Some couples rely on instant messaging or email to convey their love during work hours. Just be sure your boss isn't looking over your shoulder.
And while you're typing that instant message, how often do you say "thank you"? The Jonases feel that showing appreciation for your partner everyday is one of the most important things you can do for a relationship. Shoshanna agrees. "Often we make the mistake of taking for granted that our spouse knows how we feel about them," she says. "Acknowledge the ways in which they move you. Do it honestly when you feel it. Communication like this is pure medicine for a relationship."
Hallford feels that communicating regularly with her husband helps her appreciate his good qualities and to remember why she married him. "It can be easy to get caught up in petty differences," she says.