Romance

Keeping the romance alive doesn’t always come easy during stressful times. The current situation in the world feels uncertain, but perhaps we can look at it as a gift from the universe. We have more time to spend with our families, a break from work (depending on your situation), and time to reflect on our lives. With all this extra time on our hands, we can give more time and energy to the people in our lives who matter to us.

Of course, not everyone gets to have time off work, and we understand that everyone’s situation looks different. However, no matter what you’ve been through during this challenging time, you can always keep the romance alive in your relationship. You don’t always have to fly off to an exciting destination or plan an expensive date to rekindle the flames in your relationship.

Most people just want to know that you love and care about them, and even the smallest gesture can make a big difference. Below, we’ll go over how you can keep the spark lit in your relationship during difficult times.

Here are ten ways to keep the romance alive during stressful times:

1. Show your love in little ways.

Studies prove that small gestures in relationships mean more than even verbal expressions of love. Researchers found that people showing compassion topped the list of what made people feel the most loved. So, if you want to keep the romance alive during these stressful times, try these things out:

• send them a loving text saying you miss them while they’re away at work
• make them breakfast in bed on the weekend (pancakes are always a winner!)
• do chores for them after they’ve had a hard day at work
• make their coffee before they wake up in the morning
• hear them out after a long day, and put away all distractions

You can make these gestures at any time, but they mean so much more when stress creeps up in life. Showing love helps to lower stress levels, which will help you both ride the waves of life more smoothly.

2. Ask your partner if they need anything from you.

Sometimes, the best way to keep the romance alive during stressful times comes down to asking questions. People just want to feel heard and understood, and they may not always tell you upfront how they think. Be willing to dive deep and ask your lover the problematic questions. Open the conversation up so they feel comfortable sharing any concerns and worries they may have.

You may feel like you know your partner inside out, but you can always learn something new about them. Simply asking if you can do anything for them during this challenging time can make them feel extra loved and cared for, especially if they’ve recently lost a job or had other difficulties.

Your partner will especially appreciate that you’re willing to go the extra mile for them and help carry some of their burdens. You can ask some of the following questions to open up the dialogue:

• Do you need any extra help with anything during all this?
• I know this is a stressful time for everyone, but I want you to know I’m always here for you.
• Is there anything you want to get off your chest?

Also, make sure you share your feelings with your partner as well. You should practice open communication at all times with your partner, but especially now as the whole world deals with this unprecedented event.

3. Keep the romance alive by connecting physically.

When life gets stressful, connecting physically doesn’t always cross people’s minds. After a long day of work, sometimes you just want to lay in bed and have alone time to recharge. However, physical intimacy will help keep the romance alive in your relationship as well as lower stress levels. You don’t always have to have sex to foster a physical connection, either.

Here are some other ways to connect physically:

• Kiss
• Cuddle on the couch
• Hold hands while doing errands/taking a walk.
• Give each other a massage.
• Take a trip down memory lane together.

Thinking about the happy memories you’ve shared can help strengthen intimacy and connection in your relationship. During stressful times, it helps to disconnect from the situation for a bit and pull out some old photo albums or laugh about the good times.

By reminiscing on the good times, you’ll remember that nothing bad lasts forever and that better days lie ahead of you.

5. Plan a date night (this can be inside the house as well).

Since many of us have extra time together, why not plan a fun date with your partner? You don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant or have a wild night on the town, either. Even though you already eat dinners together most nights, make sure you spend time connecting and helping each other relieve stress by talking things out.

You can always make it fun by bringing out a white tablecloth and creating a romantic setting with candles and roses. You could also do it old school and pretend you’re kids again – make a blanket fort, bring out some fun snacks like popcorn and candy, and cuddle together while you watch your favorite show.

Get creative! When it comes to date ideas to keep your romance alive even during stressful times, the possibilities are endless.

6. Make dinner together.

Nothing feels more romantic than creating something together, especially when you can eat your creation! Pull out some recipe books or look up ideas online, buy the ingredients, and have a fun night making the perfect dish together. No matter what kind of cuisine you prefer, you can find endless ideas on recipe blogs, foodie Instagram accounts, or YouTube channels.

This makes the perfect time for everyone to enjoy meals more at home together, just like the good old days. Plus, you’ll probably save money and calories by cooking at home, so it’s a win-win for everyone!

7. Have a board game night.

Everyone loves board games, and figuring out puzzles or solving silly riddles helps relieve stress as well. If you want to keep the romance alive, try pulling out those dusty games from your closet and get lost in a fun night of laughter with your partner. Whether you enjoy card games, physical games like Twister, or classic children’s board games like Chutes n’ Ladders, make it fun by offering a prize for the winner.

8. Go camping together.

You can choose your backyard or your living room, but either way, make sure to get all the essentials. Make smores over a fire or your stove, tell scary stories, cuddle up in the tent with Netflix, and if you’re outside, you can stargaze together. Keeping the romance alive doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or involve anything complicated; just make it fun and enjoy your time together. Camping makes an excellent opportunity to connect with your loved one, and being cozy in the tent together will make it feel like all the problems in the world just melt away.

9. Plan a vacation.

Just thinking about sipping cold drinks on a beautiful exotic beach will lift your spirits and make your problems seem a million miles away. Why not use the downtime to plan your next fun trip together? You don’t have to plan something extravagant; it can even be a camping trip an hour away or a stay at bed and breakfast in a town near you.

While you’re stuck inside, use your imagination to propel you to better days and create fun memories with your beau in the future. Sometimes, planning the trip is even more exciting than going on it, so throw all your ideas out there and choose something you will both enjoy!

10. Create a private spa in your home.

You don’t need all the expensive equipment they have at spas; you can just use what you have at home. Give each other massages with a massage oil of your choice (rose or lavender works well), take a warm bubble bath together, and pull out the champagne or wine for full relaxation.

Massages help lower stress, so this makes a perfect way to keep the romance alive and induce feelings of relaxation.

Final thoughts on keeping the romance alive during stressful times.

It doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to create beautiful memories with your partner. You can have a fun time even while being stuck inside: have a home movie night, go camping inside, play board games, or make dinner together. You can also plan a future vacation, have a spa night, or just cuddle up on the couch.

Make sure you connect with your partner emotionally during this time as well, because talking out the problems in your lives will make them a lot easier to deal with. We hope these tips help you keep the feelings of romance alive!

For generations, young ladies have daydreamed about their future suitors while plucking daisy petals to see if he loves them or not. Maybe you have a guy friend, and you have wondered if he wants to take your relationship from friendship to a romance.

Could he also have a physical attraction to you?

Perhaps, yours is a case of love immortalized by award-winning singer, Bonnie Raitt. If he is having romantic thoughts about you, isn’t it time to give people something to talk about? Was that a sparkle of love in his eye, or are you wishfully thinking?

One may argue that platonic relationships can’t exist. Of course, you may still have men whom you consider friends or “brothers.”

Is there one different guy? How can you tell if he is sending you subliminal romantic thoughts?

Do They Want More? Here are Ways to Be Sure

Trying to guess if someone close to you has a secret crush can be a slippery slope. On the one hand, you don’t want to miss out on romance just because you were too afraid to ask. However, you don’t want to look like a fool and put your heart on the line to discover that you misread his intentions.

What’s a girl/guy to do? Should you be upfront with him, or do you risk losing a good friendship? Is it possible that you are misinterpreting his extroversion for flirtation? If you wish there were more to your relationship, how are you going to know unless you ask?

Just about everyone has been in this dilemma of love at least once in their lives. Secret admiration has been the subject of novels, songs, and art since the beginning. Here are fifteen ways to tell if your guy friend secretly wishes for romance.

1. Does He Call or Text a Lot?

Let’s face it; guys would rather be doing anything than talking or texting. While some men are naturally more talkative than others, his daily texts may be more than friendly hellos. It gets even more apparent when he also calls regularly.

Before you chalk it up to chance or boredom, consider the context of his correspondence. Does he send you corny memes for a laugh, or does his conversation have substance? Maybe his day isn’t the same until he hears from you, which is a good sign that he is having romantic thoughts.

2. Are His Conversations Superficial or Meaningful?

Generally, men are not as in touch with their feelings as women are. Even boyfriends and husbands often find it challenging to discuss the more in-depth, emotional meanings of life. While they are all for love, they usually aren’t comfortable talking about it.

Does your guy friend have long, meaningful conversations with you, or are these talks superficial? Can you tell that he is genuinely interested in what you have to say, and can recall the details in later conversations? Either he is a brilliant conversationalist, or he is digging you.

3. Does He Mention Other Women in His Life?

Sometimes, guy friends use their female friends as sounding boards for their romantic interests and conflicts with other women. If this is your buddy, he might be trying to get a woman’s perspective and feels comfortable discussing it with you. However, you don’t want to be a dating therapist for life.

Does he date often and talk about the other women to you? Do you see him flirting with ladies at work or in public? If the only woman he always mentions is his mother, he is either having romantic feelings for you or you should run the other way.

However, you could be the only one in his eyes, and you have yet to realize it. Listen to his conversations and observe his dating life or the lack thereof. He just may be waiting for you to return his love interest.

4. Does He Seem Nervous Around You?

It’s a man’s nature to feel intimidated or nervous when emotions are involved, especially romance. He may act like a ditzy teenager in puppy love and be amusingly awkward around you. Most men advance from this phase into relaxed confidence as the relationship matures.

Have you noticed that your guy friend is usually calm and collected until he gets around you? Does he seem a bit giddy, clumsy, and stumbles on his words? It could be that he has a secret crush on you.

5. Is He Unusually Interested in Your Life?

While there are anomalies, guys are not usually overly interested in things that women find essential, unless he has romance in mind. If he hasn’t known you for years, he probably isn’t going to remember a lot of details about your life unless he has feelings for you.

Isn’t it odd that he knows all about you without being prompted? Does he know what color your eyes are, your favorite color, or whether you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice-cream? Does it almost seem like he can finish your sentences? He might be a keeper.

6. Is He Jealous of You?

Although jealousy is a complicated emotion to hide, it may be more so for guys. A Platonic buddy wouldn’t care about whom you date and what men you discuss. The only reason a man would get his feathers ruffled would be if he had thoughts of love for you, too.

Does your guy friend seem happy for you when you mention a male love interest, or does he quickly change the subject? Can you see a tinge of the green-eyed monster in his eyes when you are talking to other guys? If he’s jealous, then it may be time for you both to talk.

7. Is He in Touch with You, Literally?

In American society, women are usually the touchy-feely ones. Sometimes, guys misinterpret a lady’s innocent touch on the hand or shoulder as a touch of romance. But if people are attracted to each other, the need to touch is almost irresistible.

The next time you are kicking back with your guy friend, notice how many times he touches you. Does his hand linger on yours, or does he find ways to brush your shoulder, hair, etc.? Maybe he is dreaming of love and touching you as a lover.

8. Is He Often Lost in Your Eyes?

If a stranger continually makes eye contact with you, it is more creepy than romantic. When your guy friend stays locked into your eyes, he may feel a spiritual connection with you. Looking deeply into someone’s eyes indicates trust, honesty, and romance.

9. Does He Truly Notice You?

The bane of many girlfriends and wives is that their men don’t notice things. In the initial stages of romance, guys pay so much attention to their love interest that they often remember the smallest detail. Is he watching you so intently that he knows when something changes, like a new outfit or a different hairstyle?

10. Has He Introduced You to His Family and Friends?

Maybe one of your guy friends has always felt like a brother to you, and you already know his family and background. If not, a closer male companion may casually introduce you to family and other friends.

Is he unusually nervous when he invites you to meet his family? He might be eager to see how they react to a possible love interest. Put your best foot forward because these folks may be part of your life soon.

11. Is He More Interested in One-on-One Time Than with Groups?

When people have love in mind, two is company and three is a crowd. Casual male friends may enjoy alone time with you, but they are just as happy in a group activity. Does your guy friend seem to be finding more excuses for private dates?

12. Is He More Than Generous?

It isn’t unusual for a close guy friend to give you a present for your birthday or the holidays. As a friend, his gifts are probably thoughtful but nonspecific enough for anyone. A guy friend who has romance on his mind may give you gifts for no reason, with an unsaid sentimentality.

13. Is He Extra Careful with His Style and Grooming?

A male buddy has no qualms of meeting you in a faded t-shirt and a ball cap covering his un-brushed hair. You’re his friend, so appearances aren’t always essential. If this guy has a romantic eye on you, he will be sure to dress to impress.

14. Does He Go the Extra Mile for You?

True friends help their friends when needed. However, a guy friend who wants more than friendship may be extra helpful. Does yours go out of his way to help you with things so that he can be with you?

15. Look for Yourself in His Life

Does your male friend want to be romantically involved with you? Browse through his social media accounts and notice your presence. Do you see a lot of photos of the two of you together?

Final Thoughts on Recognizing the Signs of Blooming Romance

Taking a chance on romance can be risky with your guy friend. Is not living with regrets worth the risk? Consider these tell-tale clues and see if they lead you to love. Sometimes, the most excellent relationships start as friends and blossom into more. Don’t let true love pass you unnoticed.