Fundamental Romantic Moments

By Trish McDermott

As time goes by in our marriages and relationships, we commonly relegate romance to a back burner in our busy lives. Cars, kids, mortgages, taxes, career ladders and an ever-growing "to do" list take precedence over soft touches, warm whispers, endearing love notes, sweet surprises and stolen moments.

We forget that daily romance is as fundamental to a loving relationship as food and water is to our very health--it sustains us. In the movie "Casablanca" we heard:

A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.
And when two lovers woo, they still say "I love you,"
On that you can rely, no matter what the future brings,
As time goes by . . .

We shouldn't need movie lyrics, or a "romance expert" to remind us that moonlight and love songs are never out of date, but sometimes we do. Even "romance experts" can get more caught up in writing about romance than actually living romantically. As time continues to go by in your own relationship, commit to a daily romantic effort:

• Dress a little sexier for your spouse.
• Hire a sitter and whisk your partner away for a fabulous dinner.
• Grab your husband for a quick make-out moment before he slips off to work.
• Tell your wife how it makes you feel when she looks exceptionally beautiful.
• Leave love notes or small gifts where your partner will find them during the day.
• Play your favorite love song, light a candle and share some wine and memories.
• Whisper a sweet nothing into your love's ear.

Eventually, and with enough daily practice, romantic acts will become as second nature as taking a breath.

It's still the same old story, a fight for love an' glory,
A case of do or die, the world will always welcome lovers,
As time goes by . . .