Do you ever find that you and your partner struggle to catch up, often ending up too tired to talk, usually late at night? Or maybe your schedules just never seem to align? Between work dinners, school outings, sports practices, socializing with friends, supervising homework, and household chores, the list seems never-ending. Do you feel like you need to schedule a date night just to have some quality time together when you’re not asleep?
If this resonates with you, then you’ll surely appreciate these tips for keeping each other close at heart, even when physical proximity isn’t always possible. It’s all about communication and sharing the little things that make up our lives. Here are ten simple ways to express your feelings:
- Birthday love letter: There’s something truly powerful about a heartfelt letter. A few years ago, inspired by an article about Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, my husband and I decided to write love letters for each other’s birthdays. It’s become our favorite part of celebrating birthdays, surpassing any expensive presents. Expressing all the things we love about each other in writing and presenting it as a gift is an incredibly personal and thoughtful gesture. It holds a special place in our hearts even after the birthday has become a distant memory. You can even write letters to your children, ensuring they never doubt your love for them. Remember, you don’t have to wait for a birthday to tell someone how you feel—anytime is the right time.
- Sit down and talk about your day: Whenever possible, sit together at the table for your evening meal and take turns sharing about your day. Even our two and a half-year-old joins in the conversation. Initially, he would focus on who he saw rather than what he did, but now he’s getting the hang of it. Another practice we’ve adopted is sharing the best and worst parts of our day. Sometimes, with so much happening, it helps to pause and reflect on the highlights and low points.
- Celebrate your partner’s successes: Whether it calls for a high five or a glass of champagne, celebrate your partner’s achievements together. Make it a joint celebration, regardless of the scale of success.
- Be genuinely impressed by your partner and let them know it. Hearing “I’m proud of you” from someone we care about is a wonderful feeling.
- Never underestimate the power of a hug. Encourage your children to reciprocate hugs as well. My five-year-old son, Jack, is a big fan of hugs. He loves giving and receiving them. Sometimes, if he senses someone is feeling down, he’ll spontaneously offer them a “Jack hug,” though he usually asks first.
- Share a meaningful photo: Send your partner a photo that holds sentimental value for you and explain why it’s important. You could even use a Show & Tell Card, a special greeting card where you can stick your photo on the front and write your message inside.
- Share experiences: Whether it’s a movie, a new CD, a magazine article, or a short story, talk about what you’ve seen or read and discuss why you liked or disliked it. Make this a regular habit.
- Offer compliments: Everyone loves receiving compliments, so never miss an opportunity to give a genuine one. You can express them in person or write them on a small piece of paper and leave them in unexpected places for your loved one to find.
- Dance: Take a few minutes to find a great song you both enjoy, play it, and dance around the living room floor. It’s a wonderful way to reconnect physically, whether it’s a brief interlude between dinner and dessert, at the end of a long evening, or even as an unusual way to start your day.
- Thoughtful gestures: Doing something unexpected for your loved one, especially when they’re busy and stressed, is a beautiful way to show that you understand what they’re going through and that you’re there to support them.
Expressing your love for your partner doesn’t have to be time-consuming, and the rewards will be plentiful. Start spreading love today!
