“I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
‘Come in,’ she said, ‘I’ll give you shelter from the storm'”
— Bob Dylan
Sometimes that’s all it takes. Maybe we’re all just looking for a little shelter.
When’s the last time you went out of your way to show some true affection to your other half? If your romantic memories all consist of Hulu and pizza, maybe it’s time for some passion.
April’s National Couple Appreciation Month is the right time to show some sweet overtures.
It’s springtime!
If you’re single, sugary sweet couples cooing at each other for hours on end (“You’re Schmoopy!” “No, you’re Schmoopy!”) can make you feel jut a bit ill. And being invited to a dinner that you know will be attended by a bunch of smug married couples who just don’t understand your relationship with a bottle of wine can seem like an exceptionally cruel form of torture.
On the other hand, if you’re in a relationship, especially a long-term one, you may sometimes find yourself wondering where all the romance went and why you don’t seem to be enjoying each other’s company nearly as much as you used to.
Whatever side of this you’re on, Couple Appreciation Month can help you make some changes for the better.
The History of Couple Appreciation Month
Couple Appreciation Month was founded in 2010 by Blissful Escapes to, in the words of the company, “encourage couples to do something special to re-enforce and celebrate their relationship.” Since then, the idea has caught on among both couples and singles who want to show their couple friends how much they enjoy their company. The best holidays are those that offer something to everyone!
How to Celebrate Couple Appreciation Month
We all know how easy it is to fall into a routine, and routine kills spontaneity, and all that leads to a relationship that can start seeming pretty boring. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to end things!
Celebrate this month by remembering what it was that made you fall in love with your significant other in the first place and doing the things you’ve always loved to do together. Sure, you may not be able to stay out on the town late every evening drinking wine and gazing at the stars now that you both have 9 to 5 jobs, kids to take care of, and a mortgage to pay off. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get out together one a week or even once a month to spend an evening together, just the two of you.
You may not have the opportunity to travel as much anymore, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a trip together every now and then, if only for a few days, just the two of you. And don’t forget that love is on the little things, too! Making your significant other’s favorite dish, calling him or her up just to say “I love you” (instead of “Buy milk!”), cuddling while watching your favorite TV show…all of these things and more will bring you closer.
If, on the other hand, you’re single, take some time this month to show your couple friends how much you appreciate them, the lovely dinners they make when you come over, and the way they’re able to offer both a man’s and a woman’s perspective on your dilemmas.
Maybe it’s your turn to invite them for a nice meal or ask them if they’d like to go on a short trip with you? As before and as ever, little things make a big difference, too—just telling them how much you value your relationship will definitely make their day.
No matter which side of this you’re on, making sure you never take other people for granted is a great way to make your relationships better and that’s a win-win situation for everyone!
