VALENTINE'S Day is around the corner, it would be nice to start thinking about some ways to spend extra time with your loved one. Some situations require greater creativity than others. For example, for parents of very young children and those with large families or two careers.
If you wait for a convenient time to plan a night out, your dates are probably few and far between.
But fun dates do not have to be elaborate and time-consuming. Remember, intimacy grows from the shared experiences between you and your partner. Frequent, brief moments will go far in keeping you connected. Make the most of every opportunity.
Pillow talk. When the day is over and the children are fast asleep, set aside a half hour for the two of you. Before you climb into bed, light a few candles, share a special treat and enjoy uninterrupted conversation and each other’s company.
Trade massages. Stiff, achy muscles are a common complaint among busy, hard-working people. Take turns massaging each other’s tension away. Human contact has a healing emotional effect; you will be nurturing each other’s spirits as you work away the physical distress.
Prepare a meal together. Dinner happens every night. Why not make it an opportunity to have fun together? Allow the children an hour of television while you and your spouse prepare the evening meal. Make it special by creating the right environment. Have fresh cut flowers on the table. Large supermarkets sell bunches at low costs. Candles infuse the room with calm and warmth. Play music that you both enjoy in the background. It is all in the ambiance.
Errand boy and girl. Buying supplies for the week seems like a chore when the time is tight. Most of us dread the weekly — or more frequent — trips to the bank, the supermarket, the pharmacy, the hardware store, etc. The two of you can make it fun by taking the drudgery out of it.
Plan a lunch stop as part of the trip, visit a new café you have been waiting to try. Make time for an extra stop to shop for something you will both enjoy, such as a new movie or CD, or ingredients for a special dinner. Stop to enjoy the sights and sounds of the community and appreciate the gift of each other’s company.
