The Session: Keeping the Romance Alive, part 2

Our celebration of Love Month continues with a conversation about keeping the spark sparking in your marriage!  With Tom laid up at home, the audio may sound a bit different.  Tom is on a zoom call with Scott in the studio.Keeping The Romance AliveSolomon 2:15Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that spoil and ruin the vineyards [of love], While our vineyards are in blossom.” Date your mateHow often?Try revisiting dates you did in history24 hour get aways From Focus on the Family Go to the gym together.Walk with your spouse three to five times a week.Buy new clothes, and throw out those ugly sleep shirts/pajamas.Change habits. Helps you out of a rut and routine Communication (Focus on the Family) Do so in non-threatening, non-judgmental ways. Let’s change how we treat each other. Let’s call each other during the day at work. Let’s walk together each evening.” Avoid using “you” statements. Use “I feel” or “I need” instead. Try writing a letter as an alternative to face to face communication, especially if you feel he or she will react negatively Sowing Importance Specifically speak your mate’s love language Doing goods things doesn’t necessarily require spending a lot of money. Simple things, like picking up after yourself. Giving a FREE back rub, preparing dinner, writing an appreciative note, Physical Intimacy (Dr. Gottman) Caution:  This content may not be suitable for younger readersChange your pattern of initiating sex. ...Hold hands more often. Allow anticipation to build toward love makingSeparate sexual intimacy from routine.Carve out time to spend with your partner. ...Focus on affectionate touch. ...Practice being more emotionally vulnerable during sex.Experiment with new ways to bring pleasure to each other. Look at sex as an opportunity to get to know your partner better over time.Vary the position or foreplay - changes routineMake Sex a priority before TV.Relax firstThe good news is that allowing your partner to influence you can reignite the spark you once enjoyed. Dr. Gottman reminds us that friendship is the glue that can hold a marriage together To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at [email protected], or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com