Smittens

Smittens

Okay for those couples that love to hold hands this is an amazing product I stumbled across.  If you enjoy holding hand with each other, the cold weather usually presents a problem for this simple love message.  However with Smittens you can still hold actual hands in the cold weather.  The oversized double mitten allows lovers to keep their hands warm while joining their hands together.  Also included are two other mittens that match for those hands that are not getting held.  This might seem a little over the top for some but it can be a great way to show the world you are in love, even in cold weather.

Smittens Medium/Medium (Black)

Pass something back and forth.

Sometimes we need a little something that shows the care our partner has for us. We need this physical thing to touch and enjoy while they are not around. My partner and I have a wonderful little heart shaped rock that we pass back and forth depending on who needs the most love. When I have a big day ahead with lots of things coming at me my partner will make sure I slip our heart rock into my pocket before leaving. On a day when my partner is having a lot of stress or things are bothering her I slip our heart rock into her hand. This simple little gesture makes things so much more right in the world. Holding or touching that heart rock lets both of us know that the other one is with is in our hearts as we are challenged by the day. Yours doesn't have to be a rock it can be anything. A special coin, a trinket from a trip, or a special token the point is that this item carries the love you have for each other and is a reminder of that. You can't be with your partner when they have troubles outside you house all the time but with your own heart rock you love will surround them.

The couple that struggles together learns to overcome obstacles.

Obstacles are part of everyday life. How we handle them shapes our personality as well as our relationship. Do you shy away from struggles with you partner or do you hold his/her hand and face them together. Some of the best love stories have been about a couple that struggles together and then together achieves their dreams. Yet we se so many couples split up with the waters get a little rough. Facing these storms at sea while holding on to each other gives your relationship strength beyond measure. Sure their are times that the two of you will think there is no way out of your problems, but that is when you have to hold each other even tighter. Financial struggles seem to be the worst for some reason for couples it makes sense to me to stand together and battle these financial woes then for one of you to turn and run. Heck their are lots of things you can do together as a couple that are free to help get through you financial struggles. Heck making love is free and a lot of fun. Walks, talks and sight seeing are tremendous activities for couples to enjoy that don't cost a thing. So when struggles hit your relationship take each others hands and hold tight. The storm will pass and it will pass faster if your bond is strong.

Afterplay?

We have all heard of foreplay as it is essential to our sex life. Have you ever thought about afterplay? Sex shouldn't just end after climax you need to cool down just like you need to warm up. Afterplay can be as simple as holding each other or caressing the skin lightly. Afterplay is something that could defiantly benefit your relationship, forming a strong bond at a time when you are accepting of it. I suggest being a little more hands on during afterplay everyone is a little sensitive in their genital region after they orgasm but give it a little time then caress that area, also. Don't be afraid of the fluids that you have expelled during your love making it is safe and okay to play in it. Massaging the outer parts of your partners genitals can be relaxing when there is not the need to become aroused. Heck with a little luck and a willing partner afterplay could become foreplay all over again.

Other things you might consider as afterplay bonding is getting a snack to replenish both of you, fruits work wonderful here. A shower together is a wonderful form of afterplay that not only makes you closer but also gets you clean. Afterplay could even be important if you partner might want to have another orgasm and you just can't. Always remember that sex isn't just over once the deed is done because this time is when you love can become so much stronger.

Great Date Idea: Night at the Museum.

In the effort to find a great date idea that doesn't break the bank, you just need to look for a little culture. Museums offer a great place to walking around holding and hands and conversing about the things you see. Sparking many different conversations and feelings based on the works at the museum. Now you might not like art and if that is the case there are a multitude of other museums that don't have anything to do with art. The football hall of fame had many many displays that will grab your attention. Plus there are several little obscure museums around that offer a look into very specific interests. Say for instance the Firefighters Museum or the Museum of Toy Trains whatever your tastes there is a museum out there for it. Don't live near a museum then you can always check out itunes and get a number of podcasts from the bigger museums on their recent exhibits. Then you could even snuggle down on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and visit the museum you wish. Some museums charge a fee but many of them only ask for donations, so check around and see what museum you might like to visit on your next date night.

Don't save passion for special occasions.

Special occasions deserve special treatment, but if your saving your passion for these times you are missing out on the joys of being in love. Passion is not a reward it is a living breathing thing that need to be feed everyday. You don't have to attack each other everyday but you can put it into the way you kiss each other. Holding hands is another great way to show passion in a normal setting without being naked. Now when you have sex you can let your passions run wild but think of other times to be passionate each and everyday. Say kind things to each other, when no one is looking grab your partners rear end and give it a quick squeeze, the more you do to build and feed your passion the better it will be when you get behind closed doors.

You don't have to fit a type.

One thing people believe is that you have to fit a specific sexual type. The thing that if you are into bondage you always do that or that if you are into role play you constantly have to dress into character. Well this is crazy, I know that couples can hit several different moods that will change their sexual desires and fantasies as they love and grow together. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be tied up one time and wanting to be passionate and slow the next. This is the spice of life. You can keep your relationship moving forward by understanding this important issue. Say you partner likes you to dress in leather, that doesn't mean that every time you have sex you have to be the leather person. I personally have several different tastes and think that it makes me love sex even more by switching them up. I don't want to get into a pattern where it is the same constantly. Mix it up a bit, not only does this make things interesting but it allows you to try new things that might become high on your favorites list. Sex is the glue that hold all the other important parts of a relationship together. It is the basic nature of our attraction, so put it high on your list. Try different and fun things your partner and you will be glad you did.

Enjoy Breakfast together

Today's lifestyle is so hustle and bustle. Tomorrow I want you to start you day slower. If you have to wake up early then so be it. I want the two of you to enjoy breakfast together. Both of you sit down together to start your morning on the right foot. Talk about news or interesting things that happened at work. Hold hands while you consume your breakfast. Maybe even feed each other a little taste of what you are eating. Seldom do we start the morning the way we end it and maybe it's time we do. Do something simple for breakfast or even go to a local restaurant that offers sit down breakfast. Start you day by spending it with the one you love. It might just make your work day a little more bearable.

Take a nap togehter

There is something special about falling asleep together. Next time you have nothing to do just snuggle down together. Pick a Sunday afternoon or any day you don't have an agenda and just take a nap together. There is comfort when you are in the arms of someone you love. A feeling of safety helps make this a great nap. For me one of the best parts of napping together is touching each other. Not to be out done is the great feeling you get when you wake up and see that special person that is in your life beside you.

Not a napper then let your partner take a nap while laying on you. Watch some sports or a show and just let them dream away. Let your hearts beat together for a while and enjoy the closeness. Caress their hair, rub their back, and hold them tight, because the everyday hustle and bustle of life will soon be back.

(Photo by Janesdead from flickr)

Watch the Young Kids

Do you ever feel like your getting old! I don't me individually I mean as a couple. Do you still hold hands when you are walking someplace. Do you call each other several times a day. Do you kiss often. Well if you think your relationship is getting old. All you have to do to rekindle part of it is watch some kids. Go to the movies and watch the teenagers that are on a date. See how they act toward each other. You can go anywhere, that teenagers go on dates to find out what is missing in your relationship.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of taking kids to practice, getting ready for work, making dinner, we lose site of why we started this relationship in the first place. That being the attraction that brought you together. So slow down a little or set sometime aside to act like teenagers again, I am sure you will be glad you did. Just make sure to have your date home by 10pm.

Affection in front of the kids (ewww yuck!)

Something that I think needs to be done in your relationship is to let your children know you are in love. Show each other affection in front of them. Now I am not talking about getting down and dirty. Save that for the bedroom or any other room as long as the little ones are asleep. However, let your young children know it is okay for the two of you to touch each other and be affectionate with each other. I don't ever remember seeing my parents touch, kiss or hold hands when I was growing up. I think that without such a vision in a young child’s mind he/she might think that it is not to be done. Or he/she may grow up to believe you shouldn't show that you care about someone in front of other people. It may sound crazy, but I can see this leading to a lot of problems in a relationship. Keeping the fact that you are attracted to each other away from your children gives them a different idea of what a relationship is! I think of all the domestic abuse in this country, and how many children see that. Far too often that child grows up to think it is okay or the norm.

Well, what if we reverse that? What if a child sees his/her daddy kiss his/her mommy or hold hands with her? Don't you think that will help a child grow up knowing that a relationship should be nurturing. Young children love to imitate their parents. Let’s start showing them how to care about one another. Heck maybe even someone else’s kids will see you holding hands or quickly kissing each other goodbye and see that is okay. From time to time your child might walk in on you during a little more intimate situation (come on you know what I mean- sex), and I think one thing that is important and maybe a little hard to do is not jump up right away like the two of you are doing something wrong. If you can slowly move apart and address the young child’s needs then explain to them that mommies and daddies need time alone together, you just might help them deal with similar situations when they are adults.

Be up front with your children in regards to love and relationships. Not only will they understand it better, but you will definitely help them out later in life. So many relationship problems and sexual problems can be traced back to parents. Don't be the one that makes your son feel like kissing his wife is wrong or the one that makes your daughter feel like sex is dirty. Use the right words and explain when they are curious and their future partners will thank you!

The Stars at Night Look Big and Bright (Click here to learn about constellations)

Here is a quickie that will be a wonderful event between you and your partner. Find some cushions, bean bag chairs, or even a blanket, and on the next clear warm summer night head outside. Arrange whatever sitting or laying device you have brought out and position it so that you can gaze skywards without straining your neck. Also, make sure that in this position you can touch or hold your partner. Then simply relax and enjoy the greatest light show in the universe. This is a great stress reliever also as it seems to put some perspective into your life. You could even brush up a little on your astronomy or even purchase a book showing the constellations so that you and your partner can enjoy trying to point them out to each other. If you have a quiet back yard, you might even bring out a little mood music or even just a taping of a waterfall or rain. But, first and foremost relax, take your time and enjoy searching the cosmos with your love.

Not a night person? You can do the same thing during a warm summer day, but instead of stars use clouds. Point out clouds and what their shapes look like to you, and then see what your partner sees in the same cloud. It is quite interesting to see the differences in your ideas. Don't be afraid to involve your children in this too. I love to hear the perspective of a young child, and this will bring you closer as a family, which will bring you closer as a couple.

Let's Dance (Click here to learn more about the health benifits of dance.)

When is the last time the two of you went dancing. Well I know, my wife and I have all the excusses. We can't find a sitter, we don't want to be out late, we don't like the bar scene, we could go on and on. Well you don't have to go out to dance. Today I want you to take this challenge. When you and your partner are together tonight put on some of your favorite music and get up and dance. The type of dance doesn't matter if you are a silly couple dance like a monkey, if your a couple well trained in the dance do a tango, but no matter what for you last dance make it a slow one. Pick a song where you can slow dance and get closes and just sway together. This makes the heart swoon.

Walks

I do believe one of the most romantic things that costs absolutely nothing is just taking a walk together. The place doesn't matter, unless it is in an unsafe location or during an unsafe time. I mean don’t go for a walk in the middle of a hurricane or a very shady neighborhood. A walk gives the two of you privacy even when you are out in the open. For starters, only the people that are walking at the very same pace can hear what you are saying – for the most part. You can set your own pace; if you want to casually stroll it doesn't matter, in fact, I recommend it. Have you ever heard the expression, “Stop and smell the roses,”? Well, do that to on your walk. Walks can include magical moments. It is a great time to ask someone to marry you or maybe just to present them with an anniversary present. Walks can happen anywhere. They might be downtown in a big city, a park, your old neighborhood, or one of my favorites - the beach. Never under any circumstance put a time limit on your walk. This is a time for the two of you to reconnect. If you are constantly looking at your watch and saying, “We better get back,” the moment is lost. When I think back about some great walks my wife and I have had I bring back some very fond memories. Like asking her to marry me while walking on a beach in Cancun. We stopped near a great big rock in the middle of the beach. It felt like we were miles away from anyone else. Yet, there were a few other people on the beach. Another memorable walk we had was walking/hiking up a mountain in Gatlinburg. It was so much fun. It was a warm spring day, we soon realized we should have worn heavier coats the higher up the mountain we got.

Now that we have looked at all the romantic and sentimental views of the walk, I will also let you in on a little secret. Shhhhhhhhh. A walk is great exercise. I kid you not. It is good for your heart and lungs. Not only are you enjoying each other’s company, but you are making your life a little longer by improving your health. Walks ROCK. So never be too busy no matter where you are to put one foot in front of the other. Venture out into nature or the city. You will see so much more than you will driving in your car, and you might have a few times to stop and kiss!

Now get to steppin!

Holding Hands

One of the simple things in a relationship that is overlooked as time goes on is simply holding hands. It was so easy when you were dating, you didn't even think twice about it. You didn't care who saw you holding hands, and it was a way of still touching the skin you so desired. Touch is a proven stimulant. This simple act can wake up nerves and get your blood pumping. Touch, simply put, is great for your relationship in general. I can speak from experience - when my wife puts her hand on my back or my arm when we are out and about I feel tingly where she touched me. The lighter the touch the more tingles I recieve. Sometimes the light touch however tickles. You might need to touch a little harder so as not to make it unbearable for the other person.

Do this next time your partner and you are out. Make it a point to hold his/her hand anytime you walk together. Not only is the touch good as mentioned above, but it also gets the two of you in sync as it makes you walk at the same speed and will usually slow you down so that you have more time to enjoy each other. Be a little silly with it. Maybe even try running while holding hands - just make sure to let go if need be. Dragging someone really messes up the momment. Get back to making it a natural function so that you just do it without even thinking. It might take some practice, but soon you won't be running your partner into things and you will learn to flow as a couple again.

For some more advanced hand holding you can try holding hands while snorkeling, skydiving, or for a real treat try making love while holding hands!