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It is very important for the strength and longevity of a couple that the individuals spend quality time together.
As individuals, our day is busy with work, children, household obligations, business commitments and everyday errands that need to be run. We have difficulty finding the extra time to devote to one of the most important individuals in our life - our spouse.
It is not necessary to find extra time, but to use our time wisely. There are many ways in which we can manipulate the time we spend, to the advantage of our couple.
Get up earlier
Mornings are rushed, as each one prepares for work, prepares the children for school and generally uses every minute to achieve something other than time with one's partner. Why not rise fifteen minutes earlier than normal and spend those early, uninterrupted morning minutes with your spouse? Have the coffee brewed and enjoy each others company before you head off in your different directions.
Save water - shower with a friend
Be outrageous one weekend morning and invite your partner to join you in the shower. It's a fun way to ignite the fires between the two of you. You may stir up some forgotten emotions while you are scrubbing each other's backs.
Warning: this may lead to an unscheduled activity!
Running errands together
Who says one of you has to do the grocery shopping and the other has to pick up the dry cleaning?
Whether it's for food, clothing or a household item, why not go out together occasionally? Make it a date. At the end of your shopping, treat yourselves to a lunch, dinner or coffee.
Housekeeping
Many couples spend a portion of their weekend doing the housekeeping. Why not share the responsibilities and work near each other?
For example, both individuals work on cleaning the main floor. While one is in the kitchen the other is in close proximity, dusting the living room. Separated by a wall or two, you are still close enough to talk but not so close that you are under each other's feet. Not only will your cleaning get done together, eliminating the possible feeling that one does more than the other, but you've spent time together without making any changes to your schedule.
You may even find that you will want to leave your duty at hand and sneak over to your partner and give him/her a hug or kiss. Why not?
Working outside
Chores will need to be completed outside of the house as well. Why not spend this time outside, together? Quality time doesn't have to be spent talking. Just being together, sharing space, is a wonderful way to strengthen your couple.
While one is mowing the grass, the other can be trimming the edges of the lawn. You could both weed the flowerbeds, starting at opposite ends and joining in the middle. You will find that while you are working, you will want to share ideas with your partner.
Preparing meals
When you are not rushed to get a meal on the table, why not work together to prepare the dinner. While one is creating the salad or dessert, the other can be working on the main course. You are not in each other's way, but close enough to enjoy each others company.
Public swimming/skating
Many community pools and arenas have public activities, which cost only a minimal fee. This is a great way to be active together and get out of the house. The change of scenery will rejuvenate your couple and the exercise will be appreciated by your body.
Relaxing together
Everyone needs time to rewind after a long day. Spending a few minutes listening to soft music is a great way to recharge your batteries. There's no need to converse, just enjoy the luxury of sitting back and doing nothing...together. You can even read your individual magazines. It's your own time, but you are spending it near one another.
Take a walk
Do you have a dog that needs to be walked? A baby that would enjoy a ride in the stroller? The two of you can stretch your legs together, while including other members of your family. If you have older children, why not participate in a family bike ride or have everyone go roller blading. Togetherness does not have to be done alone.
In order to appreciate each other's uniqueness, a couple needs to find time for one another and learn about the other individual. By spending time with your partner, you learn about what makes each other happy and unhappy, pleased and displeased. Spending time together helps keep the bond of your couple strong.
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