This post is brought to you by Hope Springs starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. Watch the trailer here. In theaters August 8.
I was just talking to my friends at lunch the other day about how they keep their marriages fresh and I was laughing so hard at some of the suggestions. (One friend swears by the book 50 Shades of Grey–ha!) It’s easy to get into an easy routine but here are three simple things that have worked for us.
1. Surprises. It’s sort of a small gesture but when I’m grocery shopping or running errands I pick up a treat just for him. Just something small to show I was thinking about him.
2. Weekly Date Nights. Paul and I work in the same studio space and we are together a lot but when you go out on a date you talk differently and act differently. Its a pain to spend the money and find a sitter but its so worth it. We have a regular sitter once a week and we take turns planning the date.
3. Pretty Underwear. I love shopping for pretty underwear (I went crazy when I lived in France, they had beautiful underwear everywhere.) In the US I’ve found really nice things at Anthropologie (their sales are great.) I’ve even splurged on some of the nice stuff before. It totally works.
What do you do to keep your relationship fresh? I’d love to hear! A: Dottie Underwear B: Romper C: Color Block
#hopesprings_happilyeverchatter
Migdalia
July 10, 2012
I’m not married but my mister and I have been going strong for over about 5 years now. Sometimes you get in a rut, but it’s important to step away from the computers, take a road trip, play a sport together or just have a picnic outside to re-connect.
I totally agree with picking up little somethings for him and cute and sexy lingerie never did any wrong either 😉
Cute post!
xo
Dalia
Evani G
July 10, 2012
Such cute undies! After almost 7 years together to keep the romance alive, Rob and I not only do date nights but plan weekend getaways with a 1 night stay somewhere! Just getting out of town can really rejuvenate love 🙂 Plus being able to stay somewhere and not worry about making the bed in the morning? WIN.
Evani
http://www.simplyevani.com
unfounddoor
July 10, 2012
If either of us goes away without the other, we have a rather sickeningly sweet habit of leaving notes for the other all around the flat, which we tend to keep up. Which is lovely and acts as a regular reminder of the more romantic side of things that absence tends to bring to the fore – which is lovely, mostly (“hey! We should get married!” on the front door, “ti amo” on the water filter). And sometimes less so (realising that “kisses on your bum” was still on the toilet roll holder only *after* my parents had been to visit).
We also shout “welcome!” when the other arrives home – after an incident in our early days when the Dude did not feel welcomed by my post-work grouch on arrival home. What can I say – we are apparently quite literal, but it does work.
In my so-far-short experience as a parent, I wholeheartedly agree with regular kid free date night. I may need to invest in some fancy underwear though 🙂
And Fifty Shades will NOT be entering our feminist household.
Erica { EricaDHouse.com }
July 10, 2012
I love this! I just spent an hour in the kitchen cooking dinner for my boyfriend as a surprise for him when he gets off work. I work nights now so we don’t have our meals together anymore and he usually just makes him self a sandwich. I think homemade Thai peanut sauce with wonton cups will be a much welcome change!
RevitalizewithStefania
July 10, 2012
We are in a rut ourselves- between kids and starting/working on our own businesses, we are both drained at the end of the night! It doesn’t happen often as sitters are expensive, but every once in a while we get a date night, or we have a no kids wedding to go to. We call those dates and take full advantage, hahaha
Trish
July 10, 2012
That colorblock underwear may just be a must have! Looks comfy too. 🙂 I’m getting married next year and these are great tips! I keep hearing the one about the weekly date night. Definitely going to do that.
Thanks!
Trish
http://www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com
Janae @ Bring-Joy
July 10, 2012
I’m a HUGE believer in some revealing, appealing under clothing. After being married almost 8 years, & 4 kids later, my husband still appreciates it.
Weekly date nights w/ a sitter. Get’s expensive, but much cheaper than a divorce.
Carly
July 11, 2012
Great tips so far! With the same dood for 7 years now… I would second (third?) the nice underwear. Always buy the matching bra! Road trips are awesome and just experiences in general. Go do stuff… museums, picnics, concerts, new restos. It gets really easy to just order a pizza and watch a movie on date nite but a little extra effort even after a long work week is a always a good thing. My guy works a lot of nites so if I am headed home in the evening after work and I know he will be heading out soon I will pick him up an iced coffee (his favorite) on the way. Looking forward to checking back on other suggestions!
Christa
July 11, 2012
I am pretty guilty of wearing grandma-like undergarments, mostly because they don’t make cute lingerie for D cups – it’s usually just overly lacy and I don’t know, not my style. But I think something like the color block set might work for me, if not for an entire day, at least for an evening!
Kelsea @ Pink Wonderland
July 12, 2012
Hah, pretty underwear. I would buy that anyway, but it certainly doesn’t hurt things. =)
Great list! I am not married but have been dating my boyfriend for a little over two years. I think the surprises and weekly date nights are very helpful!
Kacie // A Collection of Passions
July 15, 2012
Those three lingerie pieces are so beautiful. I’ve never seen a romper like that before! I love it.
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/