Let’s have some girl talk,
Romance is magical in the beginning, isn’t it? You remember the butterflies—the kind that made your heart race just because they texted “good morning.” You remember staying up way too late, whispering about dreams, kissing in parking lots, and feeling like the world couldn’t hold the electricity between you.
But then life happens. Mortgage payments. Grocery runs. Laundry that somehow multiplies like rabbits. That spark doesn’t always disappear, but it can fade into the background—like background music you forget is even playing.
And here’s the secret no one tells you: keeping romance alive isn’t about waiting for fireworks to randomly appear. It’s about choosing to fan the flame with intention, laughter, and yes—just enough mischief to keep it delicious.
So grab your glass of wine (or sweet tea, if that’s your vibe) and let’s talk about five ways to “keep it up” long after the honeymoon glow has dimmed.
Date Each Other Like You Just Met
Think back to the early days. Remember how you used to dress up just to see them? Or how your heart would skip a beat when their name popped up on your phone? That energy doesn’t belong in the past—it’s a muscle you can flex again.
The truth is: relationships that thrive long-term are the ones where both partners keep dating each other. Life will always have responsibilities, but romance can’t survive if it’s only squeezed into the leftover corners of your calendar.
Try this tonight: Don’t wait for a birthday or anniversary—plan a “just because” date. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Order takeout from the place you used to go when you were broke and in love, put on a playlist from your dating days, and reminisce. Nostalgia is a powerful spark plug.
Keep Touch Alive (and Not Just the Sexy Kind)
I know what you’re thinking—yes, sex is important, but so are the tiny touches that tell your partner, “I still crave you.”
Brush their arm when you pass by in the kitchen. Kiss them like you mean it before one of you leaves the house. Slide your hand into theirs at the grocery store like teenagers stealing a moment.
Science even backs this up—physical touch reduces stress and increases feelings of safety and connection. But more importantly, it whispers love without needing words.
Try this tonight: When you hug your partner today, don’t let go right away. Hold on a few extra seconds. Feel their body relax into yours. That lingering moment is often where intimacy quietly reawakens.
Surprise Them with the Unexpected
Routine is cozy—Netflix nights, favorite takeout, the same route home. But cozy can slide into predictable if you’re not careful, and predictability is where romance goes to nap.
So wake it up. Inject a little element of surprise. It doesn’t have to be grand; it just has to be thoughtful.
Slip a love note into their lunchbox. Pick up their favorite snack without them asking. Light a candle at dinner instead of eating in front of the TV. Or, for the bold ones, plan a spontaneous overnight stay—even if it’s at a little bed-and-breakfast 30 minutes from home.
Try this tonight: Leave a sticky note on their mirror that says, “Meet me in the bedroom at 9. Dress code: minimal.” 😉
Talk Dirty, Talk Deep
Communication is the lifeline of every romance. But here’s where couples get it wrong: they either keep conversations surface-level (“Did you pay the light bill?”) or they stop flirting altogether.
You need both kinds of talk to keep love alive: the deep and the dirty.
Talk about your dreams, your fears, your “someday” plans. And then balance that with playful texts that make them blush at work. This combination keeps your connection both grounded and electric.
Try this tonight: Ask your partner a spicy question they’ve never heard from you before. Something like, “What’s one thing you’ve always wanted me to whisper in your ear?” Then listen… and deliver.
Never Stop Choosing Each Other
At the end of the day, romance is less about sparks and more about decisions. Sparks fade if they’re not fed—but choosing each other daily is what keeps the fire burning.
Choosing each other looks like forgiveness after an argument. Like kindness when you’re tired. Like showing gratitude for the little things—taking out the trash, folding the laundry, making the coffee.
Because long-term love isn’t about one grand gesture. It’s about tiny choices made over and over again.
Try this tonight: Before bed, look your partner in the eyes and say one thing you still adore about them. Watch how their whole face lights up. That glow? That’s romance you just kept alive.
Final Thoughts
Romance isn’t just for the first year or the honeymoon phase. It’s not something you “had once” but can’t have again. It’s something you can build, intentionally, every single day.
The truth is, love doesn’t die from lack of passion—it dies from lack of attention. And you, love, have the power to change that.
So flirt more. Touch more. Surprise more. Talk more. Choose more.
Because romance isn’t a phase. It’s a practice. And when you practice it with heart, it grows stronger, richer, and even more delicious over time.
💋 With love, laughter, and just enough mischief,
Dee Parris
The Romance Paramedic
