My wife and I have some friends who recently had a dispute in their relationship. I’m sorry to report that things turned out pretty badly. There are a lot of stories about relationships gone wrong for all kinds of reasons. I’m not going to bore you with the details here. Our friends story did, however, encourage me to step back for a moment and look at my own relationship. Am I loving my wife as much as I can? Am I showing my love as much as I know she’d like me to? Honestly, sometimes yes and sometimes no. So here are 10 ways to love the one you’re with whether you’ve been with that person for a few days or a few decades.
Stay in human contact. There is nothing like a hug and a simple embrace to fill up your love tank with fuel. Human connection is so important and we need it like no other source. I recommend you embrace your loved one at least 3 times everyday.
Quality time. This is my wife’s number one request. I know I get caught up in my own life and endeavors. Now we have a 13 month old, so her needs are a priority too. We have to make sure we spend time together without phones and devices around. We’ve set up family time from 4:30-7:30pm everyday. It gives us all time to be together and spend quality time without distractions, doing not much at all.
Flowers. It’s tried and true, but a simple gesture of giving the gift of flowers brings a little joy to most people’s spirit. Make sure you give what your partner likes. My wife loves white roses, so they are my go to on a fairly regular basis.
A kiss on the forehead. When I come home from being out, I put my keys down, take off my shoes, go right to my wife, and give her a kiss on the forehead. I know she likes it and I love to do it. It’s an immediate connection. Of course, a kiss on the lips is also great and we do that a lot, but the theme here is to give them what they want. I know my wife loves a little peck on the forehead.
Plan a surprise outing. This I haven’t been so great with lately, though I do love adventure. The only real excuse I have is our daughter, but she’s old enough now where we can get a babysitter and have an outing. So don’t tell my wife, but I’m planning something fun and I think you should too! Go to the theater, a nice restaurant, a museum, a concert, a festival, there are a ton of ideas.
Take a vacation. In this day and age there is too much to do and our lives quickly become out of balance. One great way to restore is to take a vacation. Take it with the entire family or just the two of you, but get away at least once a year. There’s a great big world out there that is waiting for you to explore! Some of the most fun experiences we’ve had have been on the many trips we’ve taken. If a vacation is out of your budget, try a staycation. Create a fun weekend or week right in your own town.
Cook dinner. My wife does all the cooking in our house, so a big surprise, and something I know she would love, is if I made dinner for us one night. I’m going to pull out the cookbooks and get on it. Find something that your spouse does all the time and surprise them by doing it once in a while.
Make love. No article about loving the one your with would complete without this. I firmly believe a healthy sex life is a requirement to a healthy relationship. I’ll leave it up to you how to make it happen, but there are millions of ways to get it done.
Be intimate. Making love and having sex are amazing, but intimacy takes many forms. You can sit, have some tea, and discuss each others emotions. I know, it sounds new agey, but it’s important to open up to your loved one and share your deepest thoughts and emotions. It’s the perfect way to build trust.
Laugh together. Find your similarities and laugh together. It’s imperative! Laughter really is the best medicine. It’s also a great way to connect. So whether you watch comedy on television or make each other laugh, find your sense of humor and let it shine!
Of course, that’s just the beginning. There are so many ways to love the one your with. Buy a book, look some up on the internet, or follow these 10 ideas above. If you’re in a relationship and you want to stay in it, make sure you nurture it everyday. I’m always here to help. Find me @teddymcdonald.
This article was originally published on the author’s website.
Folk rock musician Stephen Stills made your title famous in the 1960’s which people assumed you make love also with the one your with, even if it was not your spouse.