Here is an excerpt:

The longest recorded kiss in the world was set a couple of days ago on Valentine’s Day. The smooch clocked in at 46 hours and 24 minutes by a couple in Pattaya, Thailand, in a Kissathon contest in which they won a diamond ring and cash. This couple must really, really like each other to be joined at the lips for over a day, or they are the most competitive people I know…Remember in the movie Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts’ character, a prostitute, says her one rule is that she doesn’t kiss on the mouth. Why? Because the act of kissing invokes romantic feelings and indicates there is something more than just sex.

To read the full post, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

According to Hallmark and several of those bizarre national holiday websites, January 26 is Spouses Day. This is a day meant to honor your significant other and show him or her how much you appreciate them. Some of you are probably thinking, “Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is for?” Yes and no. While Valentine’s Day might have started off with noble and honorable intentions, it has turned into an over-commercialized holiday where you get a pat on the back for buying your spouse a box of chocolates and a mushy card. Spouses Day is all about doing something (not necessarily spending money) to show your better half you care.

To read the full post, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

Enter the date night – a few hours where you get a chance to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company again. In my post on HealthyPlace.com, The Relationship Rejuvenator: Date Night, I talk about the importance of dating, and how it helps to keep the romance alive. Here is an excerpt:

When I was pregnant with my first baby, my doctor told me that she didn’t go watch a movie with her husband for two years after their first child. I thought this was absurd…until I experienced first-hand the late-night feedings, round-the-clock diaper changing, and all-around exhaustion that comes with being a new parent. Your little bundle of joy demands so much attention and care that it’s easy to neglect other areas of your life, namely your relationship with your partner.

To read the full post, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

So what exactly is a couple’s diary? Well I suppose it can be whatever you make of it. In my friend’s instance, she and her husband make daily entries about their life, feelings, and of course their thoughts on the relationship. They have decided to keep it a secret from one another (how she isn’t dying to read his entries, I don’t know). They plan on doing this for one year and plan to share their portion of the diary on their next anniversary.

I think this is a great idea, although keeping the diary a secret for a year would be torture for someone like me. There are lots of other topics you could capture in your couple’s diary such as major milestones, happy or sad times, the arguments you have and how they were resolved, or even just photos and ticket stubs of events you’ve attended together. There are so many times when I think back to a certain point in my relationship and wish I could have a better recollection of things going on in my life at that time.

When you look over your diary together, it would serve as a good indicator of how far you’ve come, and perhaps you’ll share a good laugh or cry at life’s moments that you’ve shared. It will also be a good keepsake when you are wrinkly and grey.

Other Posts You Might Like:
Confessions of a Fake and Baker
Staying Young at Heart
When You’re Not Expecting

In my post Five Characteristics to Avoid in a Partner on HealthyPlace.com, I talk about these warning signs. Here is an excerpt:

When looking for a partner we often bring a list of requirements or “wants” such as: must be faithful, must have stable employment, or must love dogs. Once you’ve found someone who catches your attention and meets your list of requirements, you begin the first wonderful lovey-dovey stage in a romantic relationship where you can’t get enough of each other and where your partner can do no wrong. It’s only when the love dust settles that you begin to see clearly and notice some of the more undesirable characteristics in him.

To read the full post, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

Check out my thoughts on ending a mediocre relationship on my post, The Nasty Task of Breaking up with a Nice Person at HealthyPlace.com.

Here is an excerpt:

Your friends like him and your family already sees him as, well, family. But the problem is that you feel lukewarm about him. You often beat yourself up about not liking him more because he’s just an all-around nice guy, and what’s not to like about him? Unfortunately love works in funny ways and this particular decent guy isn’t tugging at your heart strings.

To read the full article, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

Your boyfriend or girlfriend might be a nice person, have a good job, and be a fun date, but he or she still might not be the right person for you. Read my thoughts on about why people settle and some signs you may be settling for the wrong person on my post on HealthyPlace.com: The Mistake of Settling in a Relationship.

Here is an excerpt:

Settling is like buying an ill-fitting pair of shoes. You found something that meets a need and provides temporary satisfaction and happiness, but eventually the shoe starts rubbing you the wrong way, and you know that the fit isn’t right for you. But you feel like you ought to give this shoe a chance because you already invested in it. You might endure a few scratches and blisters before you decide to do something about it.

To read the full article, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

Critics have been quick to point out his creepy stalker tendencies like slipping into Bella’s room at night to watch her sleep, and his controlling behaviour such as eavesdropping on Bella’s conversations. Even actor Robert Pattinson himself has once said, “If Edward wasn’t a fictional character and you met him in reality he is like one of those guys who would probably be an axe murderer or something.”

Well Rob, women see something in Edward strikingly different than that. Even if you are on Team Jacob, you can probably understand where Edward fans are coming from. Let’s start with the gloss: he’s described as “impossibly beautiful”, drives nice cars, and oozes charm. Not a bad start.

Edward is mysterious, and a large part of his appeal is that he represents the alluring “bad boy.” What girl doesn’t like a bad boy, someone who adds excitement, a little danger—or in Edward’s case a lot of danger—and makes your pulse race? While most relationships with bad boys in real life typically only last the summer because little things like criminal records and a bad temper dampen the fun, Edward’s other redeeming qualities make him long-term material.

His maturity and refined tastes in music make the other guys in high school look like little boys. Edward also fits the classic protector personality type that so many women find attractive, and his super-human strength and speed save Bella, his “reason for existing” on many an occasion.

There are so many women who fall in love with a man only to find they come second to the man’s mother and family. Edward is not afraid to go against the grain whether it is by choosing a “vegetarian” lifestyle which is a vampire anomaly, or by going against his own better judgment and the wishes of his family by dating a human. Following your heart and standing up to your family makes for a very sexy combination.

And perhaps what is most appealing about Edward is that he is the consummate gentleman. Seeing a man hold open doors, ask a girl’s father for permission to take her on a date, and show restraint is refreshing. In today’s dating scene where women often feel pressured to have sex after the third date, it’s so rare to see a man want to wait before making love.

Maybe no matter how much the modern woman has evolved, somewhere deep down we still pine for good old-fashioned romance and the chance for someone like Edward to court us.

Other Posts You Might Like:

I Don’t Want a Husband—I Want a Boyfriend for Life
Being 1/2 of an Interracial Couple
What’s My Age Again?

According to Gary Chapman in his best-selling book, The Five Love Languages, the first blissful stage where you are “in love” only typically lasts around two years. After that, a relationship lands firmly back to planet Earth and requires real work to keep the romance alive. Another reason you might be bickering is that you probably aren’t speaking the same love language.

I recently wrote a post about Understanding the Five Love Languages on HealthyPlace.com. Here is an excerpt:

He thinks he’s showing you love by buying you flowers. You think flowers are better left in the garden and just want him to help you fix the kitchen sink. In love language terms, he may as well be speaking Swahili to you. While his efforts at romance are admirable, he’s wasting his money on Gifts while he really should be engaging in Acts of Service.

To read the full article, check out my blog, The Unlocked Life on HealthyPlace.com.

Check out some cheap date ideas (in no particular order)—good for new and mature couples. Having fun does not mean you need to blow your whole budget; it just requires some creativity. You can thank me later.

1. Have a picnic in the park. Breathe in some fresh air, feel the sunshine warm your face and take in the scenery. Pack some sandwiches, a bottle of wine and enjoy each other’s company. One of my favourite things to do in a park is to blow bubbles—a highly underrated activity, but one of life’s simple pleasures.
2. Cook a meal together. Instead of going out for an extravagant meal, why not cook (or at least try to cook) a gourmet meal in the comfort of your home? Play some soothing music, and cut, dice, and simmer until your delectable concoction is ready to eat. Set the mood by using a table cloth, some fresh cut flowers from your garden and candles.
3. Go in-line skating or biking. Get some exercise with your special someone and explore the trails in your neighbourhood. Stop off at the corner store for a refreshing slush or ice cream.
4. Watch movies the budget-conscious way. While renting movies at your local movie store is still cheaper than paying full price at a theatre, there are still cheaper options. Your local library likely has a whole collection of new and classic movies that you can rent for free with a library membership. Or wait until the movie you want to see hits the cheapie theatres.
5. Visit your local farmers’ market. A great way to take a leisurely stroll and people-watch, a farmers’ market provides an enticing array of sights, smells and sounds. Snack on some kettle-cooked popcorn and pick out some fresh produce for your next meal while walking hand-in-hand with your loved one.
6. Take a mini road trip. Close your eyes and point to a place on your local map; this is your destination for the day. Fuel up, pack some snacks and enjoy the journey. A road trip brings out the spontaneity and adventure you might need to spark up the relationship.
7. Enjoy breakfast, coffee, or lunch. Dinner is by far the most expensive meal when dining out, so try to save a few dollars by going out for breakfast, coffee or lunch instead. A breakfast/coffee/lunch date allows you to enjoy the daylight hours together. Or if your date is going badly, it provides an excuse to leave early as in, “Oh, I have some errands I need to run.”
8. Volunteer at a local charity or event. Not only will karma thank you for volunteering your time for a good cause, a volunteer date is a good ice-breaker (i.e. none of the awkward silences typical of a dinner date) if this is a new relationship as you will be focusing on a task. Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people.
9. Build or make something. Whatever project you decide to tackle, make sure the two of you are both participants. Whether you decide to build a simple birdhouse, bake cookies, or paint a room, the point is to have fun together while working towards a common goal. Enroll in some DIY classes at your local hardware store to kick-start your project or give you some ideas.
10. Go to the zoo. Unless you have little ones at home, you likely haven’t gone to the zoo for many moons. A visit to the zoo will bring out the little kid in you and provide an excuse to admire the pretty animals and eat cotton candy.
11. Go for a walk. On the beach, on trails, or in your neighbourhood, walking is an excellent way to get some fresh air and exercise. Walking makes you slow down and notice things that you normally would be oblivious to. Some of my best conversations were had during walks.
12. Play masseuse for an hour or two. Nothing like some tender loving care to re-kindle an old romance, or provide an excuse to put your paws on each other for new lovers. Purchase some inexpensive massage oil and work your magic. Make sure you both are comfortable and respect each other’s limits.
13. Watch the stars. Star-gazing is one of the most romantic things to do. You, your sweetheart, and a blanket in the dark. Bring a bottle of wine for some extra fun.

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This post is featured on FIRE Finance.