It’s a sad fact, but relationships can go stale. After all, there’s nothing particularly romantic about negotiating which one of you does the school run or worrying about how you’re going to pay the gas bill. It takes work to keep the romance in a long-term relationship, but the results are worth it.
Charlie and I have been together for longer than I care to admit (to do so would really show my age). And, as we both had a failed marriage behind us, we were determined to make this one work.
Each week we have a date night. We’ve been doing this since we moved in together and it was the thing that kept us sane when the children were small. It didn’t have to be anything grand and it still doesn’t, although a treat is nice every now and then.
We’d simply go to supper at the pub or, when we were out of funds, go for a long walk. Sometimes we’d go to the cinema or to a play put on by a local dramatic society. It isn’t what we do, but the fact that we make time to be together that really works.
I also think it important to remember why you got together in the first place. It’s easy when picking up his dirty laundry or tripping over his trainers to forget why you chose to spend your life with this man. I like to count my blessings and make sure I tell Charlie regularly why I think he’s great.
Getting away together is important and more so when you face a lot of demands on your time, such as work and family. If money’s short, then even a night away in a tent will do wonders for your relationship. Sleeping under the stars is so romantic and, if it doesn’t work out and you are drowned in rain, then you’ll have the bonding experience of being in it together.
If you fancy a blow out then a trip to a spa can be just the thing. It’s thrillingly romantic to sit around in fluffy bathrobes and indulging in relaxing treatments. Couples massages are really popular and a brilliant way to spend quality time together.
If you fancy a spa break, you should think about entering Interflora’s brilliant spa competition. They’re offering one lucky couple the chance to win £500-worth of spa vouchers.
The winner will be able to choose one of 250 spas across the UK, Ireland or Europe for a truly romantic experience. They’ll be able to choose between an overnight break or a host of treatments in a spa somewhere more local.
I’ve told Sophie to enter and have said I’ll babysit if she wins!