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Rescuing Romance

Take Your Relationship from Fizzle to Sizzle

By Kelly Burgess

Hamilton notes that the principles for keeping the magic or spark in a relationship are a combination of the physical and emotional or spiritual. Although this may sound like an old-fashioned idea, the physical perspective is to maintain a neat appearance. Often, women and men let themselves "go" the more comfortable they get in a relationship. It's difficult to feel particularly romantic toward someone with messy hair and torn sweats. Hamilton calls it "getting so comfortable that you slide into sloppy."

However, Hamilton also notes that romance includes a mental and spiritual connection with your mate. This doesn't necessarily mean religious, but a shared interest in each other's work, solving problems together and delving into spiritual or emotional issues. Building this type of emotional intimacy solders the marital connection.

For couples who are in the earlier stages of a marriage and are planning to have children, or perhaps are even trying to conceive, it's important not to get too caught up in the "business" of sex, but rather to enjoy the moment. Many young couples, whether because they want a strictly planned pregnancy or because they're having fertility problems, become very serious about sex once they decide to conceive.

Want to see more?

• How's Your Sex Life? Great Sex Matters When You're Trying to Conceive
• Fanning the Flames: Keeping the Love Alive When You're Trying to Conceive
• 7 Sexy Secrets: Make Conception Fun
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