10 Ways to Celebrate Romance and Make it Last

​Keeping your love story alive is something that takes intentional effort from both people in a marriage. You can't do it alone. Well, at least not for very long.

So how can you bring a waning relationship back to life?
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My parents were married for 60 years. Rev and I have recently celebrated our 45th anniversary. We raised three children, ran a business together, served together in ministry, and survived plenty of circumstances that tried to tear us down and pull us apart.

So, I thought I'd share the 10 things we've learned that will bless your relationship and inspire the spark that may be starting to feel more like a fading ember.

10 Ways to Celebrate Romance & Make it Last

1. Make a list of things you love about your spouse and share it with him/her - I promise it will bless you both. I love you because _____________.

​ Marriage is  no big deal; it's a bunch of little deals. {Tweet this}

2. Make an effort to look your best - Somehow after you've seen each other with bedhead and morning breath, it can become easy to stop trying as hard. This is for both guys and gals. I'm not suggesting you obsess about your weight and appearance, but it's important to continue to try to look nice for each other.

                "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~ C.S.Lewis


3. Make time for fun and laugh more - Responsibilities like paying the bills, raising children, and working through problems, can suck the playfulness right out of life. Be intentional about laughter and doing the things you enjoy as often as possible. 

            "People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing." ~ Dale Carnegie


4. Reminisce - watch family videos, go through photo albums, share memories - Remembering and talking about the blessing of love you've shared is often exactly what a relationship needs to get back on track.

                      "Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future." ~ Corrie Ten Boom


5. Compliment each other - privately and publicly - Don't keep the things you love about them a secret. You will strengthen their relationships to the other people in your lives. You'll imprint those things on your heart and mind. And who isn't blessed by a good compliment?

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8


6. Give 100% of your attention for at least 30–60 minutes each day - Put the kids to bed. Put your phone and tablet down. Turn off the television. Then ask each other about the best and worst parts of the day. Talk. Listen. Encourage. Don't try to fix the other person's problem. Just listen and love. It will connect you.

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7. Learn how to disagree without being disagreeable - It is impossible for two people to agree on everything all the time; however, it is possible to disagree, negotiate, compromise, and solve. Avoid words like "always and never." Avoid sarcasm. Keep a normal tone of voice. Avoid adding every other problem to the current situation. Strive for a solution that satisfies both of you, or agree to disagree and take some time to think and pray about it.


8. Avoid your spouse's hot buttons - Admit it. You know exactly what to say to start an argument. But do you really feel better after you've screamed about each other's faults and deficiencies?

"You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to." - Unknown {Tweet this}

​9. Never stop flirting - Remember when everything he said was funny? When you couldn't wait to tell her how beautiful she looked? When dinner was so terrible you had to throw it out and go out for burgers, and it became your private joke? Flirting says you care and find each other attractive, and it makes every day a little more fun. 

10. Celebrate the little things - Find little reasons to celebrate every day. Every anniversary you can remember. Every event and milestone. Celebrations help you remember all the ways God has blessed you as a couple. 

"Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort." ~ Humphry Davy
45 years later I can tell you it's worth it! Every effort. Every compromise. Every big or small celebration. It's all part of something that has the potential of being the very best blessing in your life.

​Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

About Deb

​Deb is a passionate blessing counter who loves to study the ways faith and life intersect. This year at Counting My Blessings, she's sharing The Relationship Project - How One Relationship Affects All Others. Deb lives in Missouri with her husband and furry child, Sadie now that all of their human children are grown and have little ones of their own. And yes, being a grandparent is the best She's hoping you will join her on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

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