Every couple has a different opinion on what a healthy and romantic relationship is all about.

Relationships take time and I don’t want to say the word work as that is something no one likes, so I will say effort. Time and effort is something that should not stop if you want your relationship to keep thriving. And it’s not 50/50; a relationship is 100/100. You can’t put only ½ of yourself in, you need to put your whole self in to get the most out of it.

Trust is one of the most important aspects to a relationship. If we don’t feel like we can trust our partner so many other areas of the relationship can also be harmed by this.

Human beings have issues with trust. We need to know the person we are giving everything to is worthy of it. But this isn’t just in a romantic relationship this is also for friendship and family. It is just how we humans behave.

You have to earn trust and if you do something that hurts the bounds of trust it can take a long time if ever, for you to get it back. Some people can never overcome the trust issue once broken.

Talk to each other and communicate. Tell your partner what you want in your relationship and vice versa. This way there is no chance that either of you will not know what the other expects.

Tell them how you’re feeling and don’t wait for them to ask what are you feeling or what’s wrong. No-one wants to be in that zone and we are not in high school anymore.

Spending time together and it doesn’t always have to be the “time of you life” kind of time, but quality time which is essential. It’s time that you’re enjoying each other’s company. From sitting quietly reading a novel to shaking the bed like crazy. Don’t get into a pattern of being sloths on the couch watching re-runs of old TV shows till its time for bed. You can come up with better things to do than that.

Cook dinner together

• After dinner go to a desert bar and share something sinfully delicious
• Cuddle whilst watching a movie
• Go to the local bar even for just one drink or to your favourite coffee shop
• Play a board game or even better play a sexy board game
• Go to the drive-in movies and be naughty teenagers again
• Simply go for a walk

But time is also being apart from each other. Going out with your girlfriends or to the pub with your mates. This is a very healthy part of who you are and a part of your relationship. Even if you go to the movies alone, maybe he doesn’t want to see that chic flick you want to see. Chill out and be alone.

We can all use some alone time sometimes.

And of course time together in a social setting, you are both feeling happy and loved and why shouldn’t you show it when you’re out. It’s a beautiful thing to see a couple that is truly in love with each other; just don’t over do the smooching in public.