Dear Neil: Since reading your column concerning rules for male partners that appeared in print awhile back, I would like to know if you could print a set of rules for female partners? HopefulJakarta, Indonesia Dear Hopeful: Actually the list of rules is almost the same for women and for men. But since I have […]
The Essence of Romance is to Stay Connected
NOTE: THIS IS THE FIRST OF A TWO-PART SERIES Dear Neil: Please settle a disagreement between the two of us. My husband says that romance is about candlelit dinners and lovemaking. I say it is more about eating and vacationing together. Who’s more accurate? Wanting More In New York Dear Wanting More: Neither of you […]
Going All Out: Increasing Your Attachment
Dear Neil: My wife accuses me of being disattached and emotionally withdrawn in our relationship. What can I do to increase my level of attachment and become closer to her? Distant in San Antonio, Texas Dear Distant: In a way, this is the same question as to how you could be a better spouse and lover. […]
Valentine’s Week Shouldn’t be the Only Time for Romance
As we approach Valentine’s Week, here are a whole gaggle of romantic ideas and suggestions taken from the book, 10,000 Ways To Say I Love You by Gregory J. P. Godek (Casablanca Press, 1999). Two ground rules before we begin: First, it’s the doing and the expressing that makes romance work. Whatever else, remember that. Second, […]
Creating an A+ Relationship
A Valentine Week Primer on How to Have The Best Intimate Relationship You Possibly Can A+ relationship. Noun. 1. The best intimate relationship you can possibly create. 2. A loving monogamous relationship that is excellent, superior, awesome, exciting, passionate, growing, fulfilling, fascinating and romantic. 3. An act of creation involving two individuals—two artists whose lifework […]
Ways to be More Romantic
More recommendations on romance taken from the book 1001 Ways to Be Romantic by Gregory J.P. Godek. First the basics: flowers; chocolate; greeting cards (store bought); greeting cards (home-made); jewelry; teddy bears; lingerie; love poems; love songs and love coupons. Additional basics include love letters, sending flowers to the office, breakfast in bed, weekend get-aways and walks […]
Adding Romance to Your Relationship
Want to put some spice, zing, spark and pizazz back into your relationship? Try being more romantic. Romance is not about elaborate gifts or surprises, although elaborate gifts can be romantic. Romance is about doing the little sweet things for someone else, which can include unasked for and surprise gifts. Surprise gifts are cherished. The […]
Keeping Romance Alive
Valentine’s Relationship Requires Consistent Effort Make sure that you express your affection verbally every day. All of us like “sweet nothings” whispered in our ear. “Sweet nothings” usually consist of genuinely complimenting or thanking your mate whenever you can, telling your mate positive things you feel about him/her, or expressing appreciation for his/her virtues. “I […]
Touch Important in Keeping a Relationship Intimate and Vital
How do you nurture a relationship? There are a variety of ways to do so, including confiding, tenderness, forgiving, endearments, compliments, and a variety of caring, giving and loving behaviors. But perhaps the most important of all nurturing behaviors is touch. From infancy on, touch and affection are a vital part of the bonding process. […]
Enriching Your Intimate Relationship
We know that Valentine’s Day has been observed for over five hundred years, but there is evidence that it has been associated with lovers from as early as 269 A.D. February 15th was an ancient pagan holiday that represented spring (February fell in springtime in the Julian Calendar, which was used before the 16th century). […]