You did it! You managed to walk down the aisle to the man of your dreams, and say “I do” before a crowd of starry-eyed onlookers.

You cried your way through the ceremony, danced your way through the reception, laughed your way through the best man speech, and fumbled your way through the consummation.

You awoke the following morning gazing fondly upon the face you would wake up next to for the rest of your life.

Life could not be more perfect…

And then the honeymoon ended.

Literally– the guests return home, the clean-up ensues, and you settle into your new routine with the love of your life. Work, bills, house duties, penny-pinching etc. Mundane, everyday life.

And you suddenly become aware of some things about this love of your life, that you may not have noticed before.

He has quirks- habits- flaws that drive you crazy!

Maybe he:

• Consistently leaves the toilet seat up.
• Stuffs his dirty socks under the couch.
• Leaves a trail of shoes throughout the house.
• Makes strange noises when he sleeps.
• Drives with the gas tank on empty.

(Not that I know anything about these). 😉

A few years down the road, you might add a couple of kids into the equation, and you’ve instantly got yourself a whole new set of challenges! But it doesn’t stop there.

Those babies soon become toddlers, who become teenagers, who become adults who move out (eventually) and start lives of their own, and you’re left gazing upon the face that you’ve vowed to love and to serve for the whole of your life, and you wonder, “What now?”

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Like many women today, my introduction to romance first came by way of the movies.

I recall watching the movie, Say Anything, for the first time as a teenager. You know the one.

The one where John Cusack’s character professes his love for his high school girlfriend by standing outside her bedroom window, holding up an 80’s size boom box, blaring Peter Gabriel’s famous love song, In Your Eyes…and every teenage girl across the world swooned.

Years later there was, Jerry McGuire. The movie where Tom Cruise’ character- on the brink of a divorce- finally comes to his senses, and in a desperate attempt to win back the heart of his wife, shows up at her house unannounced to a living room full of man-hating women, and whispers the infamous line repeated by sentimental’s a thousand times since- “you complete me.” There was not a dry eye left in the room.

And who could ever forget Nicholas Sparks’ movie, The Notebook? The captivating love story of Noah and Allie’s whirlwind romance that left discontented women from all walks of life, longing for something more.

As women, we are naturally bent towards romance. I don’t necessarily think there is anything wrong with that. We are made in the image of God after all, and I personally believe my romantic flare, helps me to experience a greater depth of intimacy with the Lord, that is uncommon to most men.

But if we are not careful, we can allow our desire for romance- and possibly the lack thereof in our marriage– to lead us into dangerous territory.

Thus why it is so important that we make the effort to cultivate and maintain, romance in our marriage.

If the romance in your marriage is feeling a little lackluster lately, try implementing the following ideas.

I call them my Top 5 for Keeping Romance Alive!

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