Listening

Another key is to take time to listen to your partner. Remember on your first date how you asked questions and listened to the answers with all of your attention? Take a few minutes out each day, perhaps over dinner, and do the same thing. Clear out all the distractions, such as the newspaper and the TV. Turn off the cell phones if you need to.

Then ask your partner about his or her day. Ask about things you know are important to him or her (e.g., “so how did your jog go today? Were you able to go four miles?”). Follow up on events. Show your partner that not only are you listening, you care.

For those 15 or 20 minutes (minimally), make your partner feel appreciated and special. If you can do this every day, you will develop a loving relationship that will last a lifetime.