Every couple is different. And every couple manages their relationship in their own way. However, experience is a double edged sword, and past relationships have allowed us to create our own set of parameters with which to govern this new one. We come from opposite dating histories, and are using that to our advantage. We have learned lessons the hard way, and are now applying those lessons to keep our relationship alive and thrilling. Much of this blog’s purpose is to keep us trying new things and to appreciate the opportunities that each day brings to a relationship.

We’ll never suggest our way is perfect, but it works for us. The following are just a few ways we try to keep our relationship new and exciting:

1. Date Night! Get dressed up, pick a new restaurant, and go on a date like you did at the very beginning of your relationship. I know this seems easy, but we all know people who start to ignore this piece of a relationship.

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2. Surprise your significant other. Surprises can be big or small, but any attempt is going to show your effort to put a smile on their face.

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3. Cook together. Even if you’re not the cook of your couple, you can always help cut something for the dish. There is something very rewarding about putting together the perfect dish, knowing you did it with your significant other is just that much better. A side recommendation would be to plan dinner on a Saturday or Sunday night when you’re not returning from a busy work day.

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4. Go out with friends. We all have friends (and have been the friend) who disappears as soon entering a relationship. This suggestion is easy and rewarding: continue going out with friends. Don’t completely remove yourself from the activities you participated in when you were in search of your significant other. There will always be something exciting about going out with friends – but now the best part is you know exactly with whom you are going home.

5. Make plans for the middle of the week. Don’t always feel like you need to wait for the weekend to have a dinner and drinks date- take a random Wednesday night and make plans.

6. Take an interest in something the other person likes that you might not be as familiar with, and go for it.

7. Enjoy a day at a festival. There are a variety of day-long food, wine and beer festivals throughout the year that the two of you can enjoy. These are easy getaways that are fun and can elicit new conversation, a nice break from the routine.

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8. Keep up the romance! It could be sending flowers or leaving a note, don’t forget the little things you did during the early days. Just because you might not do them as much as you used to, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost your touch. Anyways, don’t you want to know they’ve told their friends about something you did for them?

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9. Tell the other person how good they look. We all appreciate compliments, even when we try to disagree with what you’re saying.

10. If you’re set in a routine, make a routine of escaping it once  a week.

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11. Kiss in the kitchen. This is usually a place where you’re just preparing a meal or rushing around in the morning before work, so make it a point to change things up and catch an actual kiss and not just a peck on the cheek.

12. Take day trips to places that are different for both of you, giving you both the chance to see your significant other outside of their comfort zone. Anything from a new area of a city to an actual summer vacation could allow the perfect opportunity to be on an even ground of comfort. There is something very rewarding and thrilling about being out of your comfort zone and being OK at the end.

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13. Live every single day as though it’s the last one. None of us actually know how long our relationship is going to last, so by giving it your all everyday, it does.

It’s not always easy, but great things rarely are.

-Scott and Al