Health News

Fast-forward a few years and you're battling the Discovery Channel for his attention, barely speaking over dinner and somehow that whole checking thing has become your biggest pet-peeve.

What gives?

If your great love affair has passed the Bogie and Bacall stage and headed straight into to Everybody Loves Raymond territory, it's time for a detour. We've got the 411 on how to pass go, collect your romance and get right back into the good stuff, one gesture at a time.

Close: Date Night
Between jobs, kids and social obligations, it's hard to find time for one another, so you keep a standing date on a specific night when you can catch up and relax a bit. While it sounds romantic in theory, the idea of penciling in dinner every other Friday is a routine, and routines become predictable (read: stale) over time.

Closer: Wooing One Another
Rev up your romance by switching up who takes the lead and surprising one another with fun nights out. Ask one another out the good, old fashioned way and take care of all of the planning. Schedule a sitter, make the reservations or simply buy a bottle of wine, light a few candles and surprise them with dinner at home.

Your mate will love the element of surprise and also appreciate the pampered feeling of just showing up and enjoying the night you've worked so hard to give them. Showing your mate they are worth impressing will make them feel appreciated and loved, and who are we kidding... You'll feel great knowing you rocked their night!

Close: Having Sex
The day-to-day demands of living and running a household, office or just your own personal errands can be downright exhausting for most of us -- which is why when your significant other reaches over to your side of the bed, it can be easier to give them a nudge instead of a little nookie.

Closer: Having Great Sex... Often!
I know it's a common practice, but let's be real here, scheduled sex is the equivalent of "take off your pants" as foreplay. It's hardly sexy and there's zero mystery. So instead of typing a missionary meeting in your Outlook, stir a little saucy into your private life by doing something a few times a week to connect on a carnal level.

Read erotic stories together before bed, send one another "for your eyes only" text messages, give your spouse a peek of what's underneath by undressing slowly after a hard day at the office. If you are really feeling frisky, surprise them by joining them in the shower. Being sexually playful will not only bring you closer, it will make you feel flirtatious, sexy and fun. It's a win/win situation.

Close: You Verbally Graze Throughout the Day
You chat online when you can, make a call at lunch and ask how your partners' day was when they get home. You don't need to "talk" because you already know what is going on, so you both do your own thing, in silence.

Closer: Have a Hearty Chat
A lot of times couples forget they are made up of two individuals who are sharing their lives together, yet have their own thoughts, desires, fears, goals and dreams. This is why it's important to check in every now and then. Once a week, sit down and talk to your partner face-to-face about things unrelated to the menial tasks and errands that need running.

Ask them how they feel about where their life is headed, their thoughts on a current event or how they are handling their new project at work. Your partner will appreciate the attention and most likely reciprocate. There is a good chance you'll walk away learning something new about one another -- which is part of the excitement of the courtship period.

Side note: Be sure to listen closely, maintain eye contact and keep the judgments and criticisms to a minimum. You don't want them to fear opening up to you in the future.

Close: You Order In Together
You worked late and your guy is drained from a long day under the dictation of an angry man. The last thing either of you want to do is slave over a hot stove, so you call your favorite Chinese takeout place (again!)

Closer: Get Cooking
Go to your local bookstore and pick up a cookbook with exotic recopies you both are open to trying. Once a week, grab a bottle of wine, light a few candles, turn up the music and spend the evening preparing and cooking a meal together. You'll feel like a team. Plus, food is a great aphrodisiac. Don't believe me? Try feeding one another crème brulee and watch what happens.

Relationships expert, Brenda Della Casa, is a journalist and casting agent who has spent the last six years interviewing single men and women for a variety of television shows and articles. She interviewed almost a 1,000 single, married and coupled men world-wide, together with hundreds of single women for her breakthrough book, Cinderella Was a Liar.