Keep your partner happy and your pocket happier
Baby, you don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight
There are some days when you are on cloud nine with your partner. Then, there are some days when your partner refuses to talk to you due to the occasional lack of lustre in your relationship. We all know none of these two phases last long. But won’t it be magical if the former one stretched just a bit more while the latter one shrank?
Now, I am not saying I am a love guru who will make your relationship problems disappear with a love potion or a spell. I am not here to tell you how to change your whole self to win over your partner. Relationships are difficult. There is no simple trick that will give you happy movie-worthy love life.
But there are little things that will amount to a lot of happiness. It will not cost you much. All you have to spend is some quality time and efforts to make these happen. You might even know some of these yourself. I am borrowing these trust-worthy tips from books, movies and real life. You know how great relationship advice always comes from folks who lived the single life for too long, right?
We are inclusive here so these gestures will most probably work for long-distance relationships too with the impeccable assistance by Skype, Netflix, Zoom, Discord, etc. Just take some time out, video call your partner and wish you were doing the following gestures with them in real life and not through a computer screen.
1. Notice Their Fantasies and Make Them Come True.
Now, keep in mind that not all fantasies have to be sexual.
Some people might love Pride and Prejudice, Titanic or Avengers. Some might love Brooklyn Nine-Nine, F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Sherlock, or even Power Rangers. It is human to create fantasies out of our obsessions. Some fantasies might stem from something we see in other people’s lives. It might be as simple as a Harry Potter marathon, having a song dedicated or going to protests (it’s toxic 2020 and we need power couples like these).
Long-distance couples can have the upper hand in this one, since you guys talk over texts more, you have it in written form so it won’t be forgotten. All you have to do is search, scroll and star mark.
2. Cook With Love.
It doesn’t matter what you cook as long as you guys have fun and the kitchen doesn’t burn down.
If you can move past the “gender constructs” of our society that says a man shouldn’t cook, you are in for a lot of fun. It is one of the easiest ways to know if you can survive in this dreadful world with them. The way a person cooks, cleans and communicates while cooking says a lot about them. If the experience turns out great, know that they are the one and you should cook together more often. If it doesn’t turn out right but your love for them hasn’t budged, ordering pizza is always an option, you know.
Maybe one thing might lead to another and end up with you guys feeling hotter than the food. *wink*
3. Yours Devotedly.
ILU, BAE, XOXO has nothing on the traditional way of expressing, Love Letters.
Love letters are one of the best ways to confess your love for the first time and even after. It might not sound so intimate but it definitely is. Reminding your loved one how valued and cherished they are with words is really romantic. It doesn’t have to be 10 pages long or extravagant. Just write from your heart and be honest. You can give it a nice touch by adding a little poem too.
But if you feel at loss for words, describe your first date or write down their favourite song or just say how cute their tush is. I don’t know. Go crazy, you big loving fool.
4. Walk In The Park.
I know what you are thinking. This girl either lives in the ’80s or she is 80.
Sorry to disappoint you folks but there is something about old school love that it warms my heart every time. Walk dates in the park are considered cheap and weird nowadays. And if you are from India, it really puts you in a bad light. But these dates are so much fun. The fuzzy moment when you realise that you were so lost in each other that you forgot there were people around you or the other side of this is that you can talk about the people and the kids around. Have a few laughs.
Bonus if you carry some snack to share.
5. Have a Routine.
I don’t mean for you to do a handshake-dance routine full of pizzazz.
By routine, I mean you should have something romantic that you either say/send in the morning or at night before sleeping (not the lame gm/gn). It could be a ‘woke-up-like-this' photo of you or some dialogue from their favourite movie. You can list things you like about each other or plans about the future. It helps to keep the love alive and remind you of it every day.
If your partner intentionally fails to practice the routine, you will know that it is time to practice the ‘I-am-sorry' routine.
6. Movie Nights.
Or should I have called it “Netflix and Chill” like the hip kids nowadays?
Staying in and planning movie nights with loved ones will never get old. Pick out a classic movie, make some popcorn, throw a few pillows around and have the best romantic time. It can help you figure out which romantic gesture done by the movie characters your partner likes the most. So the next time they are frowning, you will know how to change their mood.
7. Show Love Through Actions. No, I Really Mean It.
Finally the one gesture you were rooting for. Because not keeping it in pants is sometimes the way to growing old together.
Everyone must have seen the comics about the occasional butt boop or random kisses and wanted that to happen to them. Intimacy is really important in a romantic relationship. It reminds us of the trust and love we have for our partners. This is even more important for long-distance relationships. Love them like you do, Boo!
That being said, it doesn’t mean you have to go all the way or anything. Make sure you communicate your boundaries and respect theirs.
8. Take Some Time Apart.
Not like Ross from F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
A relationship doesn’t mean always being with each other or answering the phone every time it rings. Having some space to yourselves can do wonders for your relationship. Always make sure both of you are giving each other time to do something you love individually. The time you take apart from each other will make you cherish the time you have together even more. Catch with some friend, go for a solo dinner or stay in and paint.
If you want to make your partner feel loved, make sure you do it for yourself first.
There is nothing shameful in being cheap and cheesy for someone special.
