In my years of working with couples, I have gotten some great advice on how to work with couples.  I have also gotten some good tidbits from all the trainings that I do. I was wondering if there was anything else out there that would spark my interest so I found an article that asks couples what they do to spark interest in each other.  I really liked it so I’m going to share some of the quotes that I found interesting.

TRY THE TWO-MINUTE RULE

“Basically, anything can wait for two minutes. You have to pee? Got dinner cooking on the stove? Need to make an important phone call? Everything in life can wait for two minutes if it means making your spouse feel loved. So, when one of us calls for two minutes the other person has to stop whatever they are doing and we go find a place to be alone together. For those two minutes you are not allowed to check a cell phone, answer a child, think of other tasks you need to do. At the end of the two minutes, either person has the right to say they need to get back to what they were doing and the other person can’t be sad or offended. We’ve been using this rule for over 10 years now and it’s my favorite thing. Even our children know that when mom and daddy are having two minutes they cannot bug us.”

—Lizzy V., Fort Mill, SC

VOLUNTEER TOGETHER

“Volunteering together keeps the spark alive in our relationship by connecting to something that is bigger than our own problems. We don’t have a perfect relationship, but we have a really great one. And nothing is sexier than seeing him help someone in need.”

—Chris G., Sacramento, CA

WHISPER SWEET NOTHINGS

“We decided early on is that we would never ever put each other down or say anything negative about the other one in front of others. We’ve made it a practice to only say supportive and kind things to each other in public and save disagreements for when we’re alone. And even then we make sure to keep it civil. It’s worked for us for 26 years.”

—Tammy N., Seattle, WA

SAY THOSE THREE LITTLE WORDS

“The last thing we say to each other each night are the words ‘I love you.’ No matter how long or hard the day has been, we end it with love.”

—Dave G., Denver, CO

SCHEDULE TOGETHER TIME

“We’ve learned that if date night is going to happen we have to schedule it, just like we would any other obligation. Now, everyone knows I am simply not available Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. and they respect that.”

—Alison M., New York, NY

SAY THANK YOU

“Each night before falling asleep my husband thanks me for doing something that day. It could be anything from running an errand to doing the dishes to making a delicious dinner. It makes me feel appreciated and not taken for granted. And I do the same for him. It’s nice to fall asleep thinking about the reasons we like each other.”

—Lisa G., Westminster, CO

EAT TOGETHER

“My wife and I make it a point to always eat breakfast and dinner tonight, no matter how early or late it has to happen. We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary this summer so something must be working!”

—Thomas H., Eau Claire, WI

DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THEM HAPPY

“We find little things we can do that will make the other person happy, like getting them a favorite treat or running an errand for them. The happiness of your spouse should be your first priority, for each of you. We just had our oldest daughter get married and that’s the advice we gave her!”

—Toby D., Lakeville, MN

COUPLES THERAPY

“Sometimes when the spark is gone from a relationship, there’s a real reason. My husband and I have done marriage counseling, individual therapy, and appropriate medications (not to mention a large dose of humor). It’s saved our marriage.”

—Julie S., Washington, DC

Couldn’t resist the last one!!  I picked the ones that I thought were interesting. Here’s the whole article in case you want to read it https://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/relationships/g4569/happy-couples-healthy-relationship-advice/

I would love to hear the ways you keep the romance going in your relationship.  There are so many good ones here. I especially like the 2 minute rule because it’s just so true.  What is your favorite?