How to Keep Your Relationship Strong

With valentines day now just 2 weeks away, statistically more people will break-up, get divorced, or at least have a rough patch in their relationship. Valentines day has a funny way of doing the complete opposite of what it is intended for, and this article will try to make your relationship not just another statistic.

In your parent’s and grandparent’s time when they fought they yelled at each other, maybe threw something, but eventually managed to work things out. Sure, the wife may even go home to their mother but she always came back. They took their marriage vows seriously. Today it seems instead of talking it out and going their separate ways to cool off and think things out one or both run to a divorce lawyer without taking the time to work things out. If you are just living together it seems as if someone’s belongings are always getting thrown out or they just move on to someone new.

Before your relationship implodes, whether you are married or just living together, let’s look at some relationship tips to help keep your relationship strong along with how to put the spark back into a relationship that is a bit stale and boring.

• Take time to rediscover each other—unfortunately we live in a hectic world and it is so easy to start taking each other for granted and suddenly the marriage/relationship starts to seem boring. Take time to rediscover each other. Find the love you had when you got married or moved in together. Remember why you made the commitment to be with each other.
• Think about what is wrong—take the time to sit down together and figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. Listen to each other and be honest with each other. Do not yell or scream at each other or get mad if you do not like what your partner says.
• Get marriage counseling or if you go to church, take your to pastor or priest.

• When you argue watch what you say, especially hurtful things, because once they are said it is hard to take them back.
• Keep the lines of communication alive
• Make sure that you have time for each other, especially if you have children.
• Be true to each other and do not cheat. Whether you are married or just living together you and your partner have made a commitment to each other.

• Show your gratitude—do not take your partner for granted. Remember to say thank you for the little things they do for you.
• Be kind to them—be understanding if they are in a bad mood and listen to them when they want to talk, even if you do not have an answer. Let them know you care.
• Do things together
• Do not forget to say that you love them for no special reason
• Give them a kiss when you feel like it.
• Give hugs
• Take romantic walks.

If you and your partner try everything you can to make the relationship work but it still ends, whether in a divorce or breakup, here are some ways to help you survive either events.

Surviving divorce and breakups

• Although it may be hard to do, especially if you still have love for your partner and did not want the divorce or breakup, you need to accept that it is the end of the marriage or relationship. Accepting it is over may not happen overnight but eventually you will be able to accept it.
• Stay busy and do not dwell on the past and the fact that you are no longer married or in a relationship but single.
• Do not blame yourself or your partner. Sometimes people just fall out of love and want to move on.
• Do not sit around feeling sorry for yourself but instead spend time with friends and family.
• Do not rush into getting involved in another relationship. Give yourself time to get over this one first.
• If you both are still living in the same town or city be cordial when you see them. Do not run up to them crying and begging them to give you another chance, do not snub them. If they are with someone new do not go up to them and start bad mouthing your partner and telling the one they are with lies about your ex.

It seems to be a tradition on Valentine’s Day that you give your special someone flowers and candy. Even the stores seem to agree with this tradition because there is usually a whole aisle filled with heart shaped boxes of candy, stuffed animals holding candy, heart shaped suckers, Hershey Kisses in red and white stripped paper, M & M’s in pink and white colors, and so much more. This year do something different, bring the spark back into Valentine’s Day, and make it very special.

• Plan a romantic getaway—even if it is just for the night or weekend choose someplace romantic where you and your special someone can be alone. Find a hotel that has whirlpool suites; on a weekend go the beach or maybe the mountains. Just make sure that it is somewhere special to spend quality time together with no distractions.
• Fix a candlelight dinner at home—either one can do this. Make sure the dinner contains their favorite dishes, use your special dinnerware, turn off the lights and light some candles, soft music in the background.
• Make a special card instead of buying one.
• Make a collage of pictures of the two of you together.
• Spend the day in bed together.

Just remember to keep things interesting. Do you always go to the same place for dinner on date night? Change it up one night and surprise your significant other!

Remember to give each other space! With any new relationship, all you want to do is spend every possible second with the other person. However, despite your new love, its definitely important to have interests, and friends, besides each other.

Don't forget to be open to discussion. The key to any relationship is communication! Be willing to discuss anything and everything with your significant other, and compromise on things that you both disagree on. No matter what it is though, if it bothers you, let them know.

Don't forget, it takes two to tango.