I love my husband, and I am incredibly grateful for him. He is my best friend and the best person I have ever been blessed to be with (man or woman). We’ve been together for roughly 8 years, and in that time we’ve kind of stopped dating. That is not to say we never do anything together, we do. However, we don’t with nearly enough frequency or enthusiasm. More often than not we plan out dates and then at the last minute we decide on something lazier or easier. It’s not a lack of desire to connect, it’s rather how easy it is to give into everything else. My husband works a fairly difficult schedule that leaves him rather tired, and I give into depression and anxiety fairly easily. It’s easy for me to get excited about doing things when I am leveled out or manic, but much harder to stick to it.

I am not a relationship expert, but the reality is you never really hit a stage where connecting ceases to be important. Yet it’s easier to give into tiredness, laziness, and just desire to nest. When we do go on dates (or even do nice things together at home) it always feels wonderful. It’s a chance to connect, enjoy, and be happy while being together. It helps to bring strength back into our relationship and (for me at least) on a personal level. Too often our time together is just being in the same room but doing our own thing. I miss dating my husband, and it’s something I want to do more. I want to make time and stick to our plans. To make a nice meal together and enjoy something at home together, or get out of the house with just the two of us and enjoy and experience something together. Not with other people, not while distracted, something for the two of us.

While I don’t feel our relationship is in any sort of trouble I do feel it’s silly not to try to strengthen it, if I notice there is an area for improvement.