Guaranteed Ways to Keep the Spark Alive in Your Marriage

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Nobody ever said marriage was easy; in fact, the reigning theory seems to be that it’s a lot of hard work.
And if you’ve been married a while, you can probably attest to the fact that the flame of romantic love
can dull to embers over time. So how do you regain that spark that made you want to be with this
person for the rest of your life? There are plenty of ways if you’re willing to work for them and you can
get your partner on board for some changes. Here are a few that will get you started on the right track.

1. Do unto others. Why is it that you’re willing to treat friends and acquaintances the way you’d
like them to treat you, but when it comes to your spouse you seem to be full of expectations
that you may not be able to live up to yourself? If you want to create a happy home life for you
and your spouse, try giving a little of what you’d like to get. When your honey comes home
after a hard day, offer a nice meal, a massage, or a hot bubble bath. These little signs of love are
bound to improve relations and perhaps you’ll even get a little dose of what you’re dishing out!

2. Talk it out. There is no relationship that can’t be improved by a meeting of the minds. This
doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to over-analyze your marriage to death, but you can
certainly open up about how you feel (without attacking your partner) and ask for the things
that will make you happy. This honesty could lead to a breakthrough, some input from your
spouse on how he/she is feeling, and ultimately, a more loving relationship.

3. Make a date. Every couple needs some alone time, and this is especially true when jobs or
kids tend to take precedence. So make the time for a minimum of two date nights each month
(and a weekend away a couple times a year). You need this time with your significant other to
reconnect and remind yourselves why you’re together at all.

4. Remember love. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s all too easy to forget to show your
partner affection. In order to keep your loving feelings fresh in your own mind (and your
spouse’s, as well), make sure to show plenty of affection whenever possible. Don’t ever settle
for a peck on the cheek; make every kiss count. And never let “I love you” become a mere habit;
make an effort to put some meaning behind it every time you utter the words. Finally, think
about getting your partner in the sack at unexpected times. Planning it when it’s convenient
isn’t very romantic.

5. Mix it up. Adventurous couples may be willing to try all manner of things to spice up their life, but you have to make sure that both people are comfortable with trying new things. For example, you might start with fairly safe ideas. But before you decide to go all out, you may want to discuss the potential drawbacks (like jealousy or the possibility that you could end up searching for blood test locations). You can and should definitely keep the spark alive, but you need to have some common sense with what you choose to try and make sure it’s right for both of you.