Category Archives for Love Stories

Staying In For Date Night – And Doing It Right

Married couples who dedicate a date night together once a week are reportedly much happier in their relationship than those who don’t consider it so much of a priority. It is also reported that couples who prioritise date nights (and don’t talk about finances when they’re out) have a healthier and more substantive sex life. Therefore, when aiming to break up the mundane, how you spend your date night should always vary. Going for a bike ride and stopping in the park for a picnic of nice cheeses, crackers and wine on a beautiful day will definitely keep things fresh. Yet it’s also vitally important to mix it up and keep it interesting on the occasional date night in.

The Pleasures Of Cooking

22% of couples reportedly wish their partners would cook for them more often. When a couple spends quality time in the heart of the home, they’ll often engage in conversation, creating a unique connection that wouldn’t otherwise occur. The greatest triggers for evoking memories are taste and smell, so with a well planned evening, you’re bound to create some memorable experiences. If only one person is cooking and good conversation is stoked, you should learn more about each other than you’d otherwise know. If cooking together, you’ll have the added benefit of sharing your knowledge of cooking with each other.

Touching and sharing throughout will enrich the entire experience. Sampling the ingredients together and asking for input is not only romantic, but shares in the creation of the meal and breaks down boundaries. It’s always important to create an atmosphere of equality. If the dish is a winner and all your senses are satisfied and nourished, you’ll feel more closely connected, experiencing pleasure, and the person you’re cooking for will feel intimately cared for. 87% of couples feel cooking is one of the most relationship-strengthening activities at home. Like any aspect of a relationship, that meal is so much more than the food. It’s everything that builds up to it.

Setting The Mood

Get the ambience just right. Make sure your home is clean. Bring in some romantic lighting. Light scented candles throughout the room, choosing scents whose aromas will complement the smells of your cooking. Take your time and make the evening last. Keep it interesting. Put on soft romantic music you both like. Set the table nicely, and have an elegant hors-d’oeuvre spread. Consider starting with an appetiser of figs wrapped in prosciutto with a warm croissant and a nice brie. Have a lovely bottle of wine already opened. Treat your partner as if it was your first date and you’re really trying to impress. While cooking, stir up an interesting conversation. Share funny stories or experiences they might never have heard before, and they’ll likely reciprocate. You’ll learn more about each other. Find a fun or spicy trivia site online, and play some two-person trivia. The winner wins a backrub or a foot massage.

Plan Out Your Intermission

Once your cooking is at a good stopping point and everything is prepared, take a break and go for a brief walk through the neighbourhood. Watch the sunset together, and get your blood moving. Come back and share with your partner that art book you love that they’ve never seen. Or read that romantic poem you know. Whip up some truffle oil popcorn and watch a movie. Consider a documentary that’ll stir up conversation and get you both exchanging ideas. Or listen to a podcast or old time radio mystery. Both of these ideas are good for being able to pause, allowing you some snuggle time and physical interaction. Don’t be in a rush. The whole idea is spending quality time together so as every aspect of your relationship feels nourished.

The Decadent Main Course And The Joy Of Dessert

When it’s finally time for dinner, surprise your partner with steamed artichokes with a garlic goat-butter dipping sauce with a sprinkle of saffron on the top, and oysters on the side. Nothing’s better at breaking through barriers or inhibitions then indulging in sexy, messy food that forces you to take it slow and enjoy all the dish has to offer. After dinner, dive into ripe halved pomegranates and a plate of rich broken chocolate. Chocolate contains the same chemicals that your brain creates to induce a feeling of falling in love, and thereby triggers the release of endorphins. 

After your messy dinner and dessert, finish off the evening bathing together in a sparkling clean tub. Turn the lights off, and fill the bathroom with scented candles to keep that romantic atmosphere going. Nearly half of British couples spend more time together in the bath for conversation and catching up than over dinner. All the more reason to break up the routine and create some intimate memories that go beyond the everyday mundane. Share in intimate conversation with your partner. Keep learning, and keep asking, and keep sharing. In every regard, there should be consistency in showing that you care.

It’s no secret that couples have a strong need to understand one another and be understood. Casting any mind reading aside, certain things should be fairly obvious. Not taking your partner for granted and not being self-centric is a pretty basic start. Remember, everyone’s favourite subject is themselves. Focus on your partner’s favourite subject. Getting to know someone for the first time isn’t hard. The getting-to-know-you questions are simple, and it’s easy to feel as if you’re standing on firm ground. But once you’ve been in a relationship with someone for a while, you have to realise that there’s an entire universe within that person. Making an effort to continue to explore the depths of your partner will lead to opening new doors between you, and encourage continual growth together. This should be what every date night boils down to, from the very first date to this next Friday night.

Take your chance on interracial dating sites today

Seeking love and companionship is a natural human desire! Everyone wants someone with whom they can share their life path and grow old together. Meeting the right life partner or soul mate is a dream for many people. So, if you are an African American or a Caucasian, in search for your special someone, don’t hesitate to show up in the best interracial dating and make the most of it. You never know how a simple conversation might translate into a deep, loving, compassionate and soulful connection you always wanted for life!

The authenticity factor

Most people willing to date often shy away from the dating sites! The online world is vast, and almost anyone can create a website. It makes people question the authenticity of online dating sites. But today, there are secure and authentic sites to make interested American Africans, Caucasians, Hispanic, Asians, Latinos and others meet their potential partners. These sites follow security encryption that secures all the member details. Furthermore, you can filter your search preferences and assess your experience. To know more about this, you can get in touch with Black dating sites and check out the details.

Make the most of free registration policy

People at times think that the online interracial dating sites are expensive. The truth is you get your registration completely free. There are membership plans that are half-yearly or annual with a stipulated membership fee. And with that you have the chance to browsing through many profiles, expressing your thoughts for a person through a message and starting a communication. If you don’t want to pay right at the start, you can check out how the site works by registering free. Once you get convinced, you can choose a membership plan that you find suits your preference and is cost-effective.

Chat with members online

Sometimes, it takes people to break their inhibition about online dating! They may have had unfavorable experiences in the past, which has made them slightly cautious and judgmental. It’s always better to go slow and easy with online dating. The dating sites today provide an online chatting option. If you don’t want to share your contact details right away, you can launch in the messenger of the concerned dating site and chat with people you like. It will give you all the time you need to get comfortable with the online dating process.

Does it work?

It is a pertinent question that most people ask! And it is essential to have a practical understanding of this situation. An interracial online dating site helps you to get connected with others looking forward to a partner. It is essential for you to chat, date and find out with who you have a soul connection. Sometimes, it takes time to meet that special someone. But that doesn’t mean that person doesn’t exist. You need to be a little patient, meet new people and keep an open mind about online dating and relationships.

Today, you can choose from a host of interracial and black dating sites. You can research on a few, compare the services, membership plan and fees before you make the final decision.

How the Internet Has Changed Dating

Back in the days when verbal communication was the only way people could interact, things were harder than today. Dating couples had to wait until they met to communicate a message. Then came the letter-posting era, telephone and fast forward to today when we have the internet.

It has changed every aspect of how people do things, especially socializing. With a plethora of internet providers, and plans like viasat internet plans now available, people do not need to meet physically to start a relationship. There are many ways in which the internet makes dating possible, and this is what we are going to highlight here.

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Romancing Your Partner while Travelling

We know that people who go on vacations are more productive at work and more likely to get promoted, but are they also happier in their romantic relationships? A study review published in the Journal of Travel Research found that travel has several benefits for families, relationships, and individuals. Holidays are a reminder of the fact that although some things change when you have been married for many years, your enjoyment of each other and your love, can be stronger than ever if you just take the time to enjoy each other with no pressures of work or other commitments. If you and your partner could use a few days away, discovering new sights and learning more about each other, learning about just a few benefits of holidays may inspire you. Does booking a week away to one of the world’s most romantic cities appeal?

Building Beautiful Memories

When you think back on the highs and lows of your relationships, the best moments are probably centered on travel. As noted in a Study by Shaw, Havitz, and Delemere, holidays build tighter bonds because they provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and create memories that are cherished years later. As noted by one participant to their study, investing in a holiday makes sense because you are in essence buying into beautiful memories, not just material things that don’t mean as much when you look back on meaningful moments of your life.

The Effect of Holidays on Relationships

Research by Newman and Newman has found that spending more leisure time together is linked to a lower probability of divorce. Another study by Gilbert and Abdullah, undertaken on over 6,000 people, found that those who took at least four consecutive days off to travel, enjoyed greater wellbeing and happiness. A third study by Hoopes and Lounsbury found that going on holiday increased a couple’s satisfaction once they were back home. Some countries have taken notice of the psychological importance of vacations. Malaysia, for instance, introduced a Second Honeymoon Program in 2010, offering couples who were considering divorce an island getaway where they would enjoy counselling as well as enough time to enjoy the paradisiacal setting together. People argue less and enjoy greater intimacy when they are on their vacation, than in daily life.

Holidays Reduce Stress and Promote Peace in a Relationship

Many studies have shown that holidays are important, particularly when you have a high-stress lifestyle or when, as a couple, you have been through the stress of illness. A study conducted recently by the American Psychological Association found that vacations significantly lower stress levels because they take remove us from the activities and environments that cause worry and anxiety. Holidays ensure we have less headaches and backaches, which puts us into ‘the mood for love’. They also enable us to sleep better, so we feel more alert and are better able to give our full attention to our partner. Simply sleeping poorly or tossing and turning frequently at night can increase our stress levels, so a holiday is a good way to cut both stress and poor sleep hygiene in the bud.

Choosing a Romantic Getaway

Paradisiacal islands and mountainside resorts often spring to mind when we think of a romantic holiday, but if you are a city lover at heart, a buzzing city like New York, with its romantic nightclubs, rooftop terrace restaurants, and meaningful monuments (does the Empire State ring any bells?), has all the ingredients it takes to wine and dine your partner in style. Because New York is so expansive, it offers a plethora of romantic activities, including a picnic at Central Park, a visit to the Hayden Planetarium, or a visit to the Diamond District. Other cities on the top of the romance list include Paris, Sydney, and Venice. Whether you are catching a show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, walking along the beach in Sydney, or taking a gondola ride in Venice, chances are, you will feel fortunate that you are enjoying all these sites with someone you love.

Making Time for a Nature Escape

If you do choose a city escape, try to find a beautiful green area or seaside part of the area you are visiting, to add a little dose of romance to what will undoubtedly already be an unforgettable trip. Researchers in Finland (Liisa Tyrvainen of the Finnish Forest Institute) recently measured people’s wellbeing in three different environments: busy city parks, urban streetscapes, and wild forests. In their study, participants were asked to take a 15-break in these areas. They found that those who had visited the city parks and forests, felt psychologically restored. These feelings were slightly heightened in a forest setting but interestingly, even being in an urban green area had powerful restorative effects. Another study by scientists at Stanford University, meanwhile, found that walking in a city park lifted the mood, working memory, and attention. Once again, it is evident that by working on our own stress levels, we can give our best self to our partner. Therefore, if you do opt for a city break, consider giving priority to cities with a beach, nearby forests, or numerous green areas in which to relax after a hectic day sightseeing.

If you would love to surprise your partner or spouse with a special gift, a holiday may just be one of the best investments you can make. As mentioned above, material things (a designer outfit, killer pair of shoes, or even an elegant piece of jewellery) don’t really form part of our memory when we recall special moments with our loved one. Holidays don’t have to be expensive, or involve a plane ride and fancy hotels. You don’t even have to leave your city or state to disconnect with your partner. Taking a quick city or nature  break for a weekend can help reduce stress and arguments, improve your mood, and make you more aware of/attentive to your loved one.

Does Love at First Sight Really Exist?

Feeling a little blue? May be a little lonely and single? Perhaps your heart skipped a beat as you saw that woman or guy saunter past you and now you are starting to wonder if love at first sight really does exist. Most optimists believe in love at first sight, serendipity, fate and all of the things that make our hearts go boom! However, there are those who will argue that there is nothing more to bumping into the love of your life other than being at the right place at the right time. No person can tell you what they think will happen to you, but they can only tell you about what has happened to them and what the meaning of love is.Continue reading

How To Stop Money Problems From Ending In Divorce

In the list of Top 10 reasons for a marriage to end in divorce in the UK, money problems come in third. As observed by lawyers specialising in divorce law, money problems put a major strain on couples; so much so that in 2010 (the aftermath of the financial crisis) many decided to call it quits. It is difficult to keep the flame burning when bills continue to pile up, so if money’s too tight to mention, be aware of its potential to risk the stability or your relationship and take the necessary steps to ensure you and your better half are financially and personally stable.

Starting early

If you are newly married and you frequently argue about money with your partner, consider this a warning sign. Researchers have found that in the ‘honeymoon’ stage of relationships, “Arguments about money is by far the top predictor of divorce. It’s not children, sex, in-laws or anything else. It’s money — for both men and women.” When you argue with your partner frequently, it is difficult to feel responsive and loving towards them. Worst of all, when you are stressed, it can be hard to find the mental clarity you need to sit with your partner, analyze your finances, and make a few necessary changes. Sound financial planning is key for couples at all stages of their lives but especially when economic times are tough. By working on resolving your difference and reducing tension at home, you can work on a long-term strategy together.

Sharing costs

Research indicates that equality seems to promote stability – especially when it comes to finances. Couples who feel that they are part of a team in which everyone contributes money towards bills can feel that they are being treated more fairly, than those who feel overburdened by having to assume all expenses. The truth is that although modern couples don’t necessarily aim to be millionaires, they do perceive that living on a very small income can be highly stressful. This is especially true when they are struggling to pay the bills or do not have a savings account they can turn to on a rainy day. Sometimes, households simply cannot meet all their expenses unless both partners contribute.

Money can’t buy you love

While it is true that financial stress can hamper a couple’s happiness, wealth is not everything, which is something couples should keep in mind in hard times. Research shows that overly materialistic couples fare worse than more spiritually inclined couples when it comes to communication, conflict resolution, and responsiveness. Interestingly, researchers have noted that the way a couple perceives their finances is more important than the actual money they have. By keeping your focus on the value of your relationship rather than the wealth you are building up, keeping that loving feeling alive becomes easier. Sharing tasks is also important. Couples as a whole seek some sort of equity, so that if one spouse works from home while the other works in an office, home tasks such as cleaning and cooking should be fairly divided.

How can you talk about money without causing couple strife?

If money objectively does have the capacity to destroy marriages, what steps can you take to ensure this doesn’t happen to you? You essentially have three choices when times are tough financially: you can take steps to improve your situation, avoid facing the facts, or adapt to a tighter budget. The first strategy – informing yourself, making changes to your budget, and creating a strategy for the months ahead – is the most proactive and arguably the most useful in the long run. Creating a Plan B for your future will help you feel that financial worries are all temporary and surmountable.

What stops couples from moving forward during financial crises

Some of the biggest problems standing in the way of couples include lack of (or too much) information, poor communication between partners, and poor time management or lack of time to do the research. Try to work as a team, dividing tasks if need be until you talk to the right people or find interesting information online. If you have kids, try to teach them the basics of financial literacy early. As soon as they are able to, they should learn about concepts such as loans, interests, credit etc. so that as they enter into adulthood, they refrain from buying things that are simply above their means, or borrowing more than they can reasonably pay. Scientists note that today’s young couples want a big wedding, a home, cars etc. but it is sometimes important to take things in small steps, opting to spend less so as to enjoy financial stability later in their lives.

Having a talk once a year

Get together at least once a year with your partner to have a ‘reality check’. Talk about old and new financial goals – including saving for a family holiday, paying off credit, or taking out a private pension. During this talk, you can agree to discuss (non-defensively) any concerns you may be having. For instance, rising interest rates might mean one of you is paying off a higher amount on a loan, and this needs to be factored into your respective contributions if you have different accounts. This is also a good time to bring up hopes and dreams. Is there an experience or item that would make your life a lot more meaningful? Is there a caprice you would love to treat yourself to? You might be surprised to learn that your partner also sees value in what you do. It is important to support each other as much as possible, so long as any expense incurred is not unrealistic or above your means. Of course, in addition to this ‘big talk’, smaller discussions should take place throughout the year.

‘Give and take’ is key when it comes to staying together ‘through the good and bad’. Partners can agree to see their financial success as a team goal; one that both partners do their share to fulfil either in a paid or unpaid fashion. By being aware that financial instability is a stressor, and committing to tackling it proactively, couples can ensure that strife is temporary, and that stress does not take away the most important thing they have: each other.

No Use in Fighting it or What I’ve Learned by Giving Someone a Chance

Down with insistence on how one can easily find love online. As hard as dating can be sometimes, many of us have good stories to tell thanks to the matchmaking abilities of our friends. Needless to say, kissing a few (or lots of) frogs in the process is pretty much a given, but at least it is all worth it in the end. This blind date story has a happy ending thanks to my friend D who set me up A out of the blue one early spring Saturday.

Blind dates are possibly even worse than job interviews because there are lots of interviews out there where you walk in knowing the interviewer or at least being acquainted with them. On a blind date, you don’t have the slightest idea who the person sitting across the table from you is. Sure, you’ve seen their photo and heard a short bio, but still.

In any case, I decided to give it a shot not really believing anything would come of it. I agreed to meet up with A one Thursday afternoon and go for a joint dog walk through the park, my Labradoodle Ben and his Weimaraner Romeo in tow. Side note: for a blind date pick, as neutral a ‘venue’ as possible, and if dinner seems too formal as it does to me, go ahead and take it down a notch. Since a dog walk can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on how much fun you’re having, you’re going in with a bullet-proof exit strategy in case things turn out badly. And if they go well, you can tell all your friends (kids and grandkids included) that you’ve met by chance at a park walking your pooches!

I wasn’t taken aback by A immediately. It took me some time to really get his vibe so it’s not like this was love at first sight. He wasn’t really my type either. He had dark hair and dark eyes, and I’m a sucker for baby blue eyes, you know, like Cillian Murphy’s. Anyway, I was surprised how much we had in common and the more he talked the more I realized I really liked what he had to say. I was becoming more interested because I didn’t feel like he was trying to play me at all. He was just being himself, and pretty much everything he said was spot on. He took initiative, was smooth, and seemed to care just a touch about impressing me, which I found cute.

Then I realized he was cute! He had full lips and a beautiful set of pearly white teeth, something I never really pay attention to because I always look at the eyes. And his weren’t blue but they were just as deep. It usually takes a pair of pale blue eyes looking deep into mine for the butterflies in my stomach to start having a party, but this time it took a smile. Or several smiles, that is, one for every time I said something he was impressed with, like what my job was or which countries I’ve lived in.

We didn’t stay too long. After about an hour and a half, we said good-bye and went our separate ways. The next morning, he gave D, my matchmaking friend, a ride to my place because she needed to pick something up from me. Did I think this was just a ploy to see me again? Sure. Did I think it was lame? Not a chance because for a full 24 hours after our ‘date’ I was still drunk on the whole thing without having a drop of alcohol.

A few days later, he sent me his first text, and that was more than a year ago. He still makes me weak in the knees despite the fact we moved in together a few months back. I don’t know where D kept him all this time, but I know our encounter was definitely not by chance. I was meant to meet him and realize that you absolutely never know where or who is going to sweep you off your feet.

How to Say “I Love You” Without Actually Saying It

Telling someone you love them is a truly incredible gift, but, in the end, words are not nearly everything. True love and affection can be shown much more through little gestures than words. That said, there are plenty of ways you can tell your partner you love them without actually saying these words, but they will recognize your feelings and appreciate them for sure. If you’re looking for ideas that can help you brighten up your partner’s day and make their heart leap for joy, keep on reading.Continue reading

The 10 Habits of Long Lasting Couples

Do you know of a couple or several couples whose relationship seems unshakeable? The type that people say they were made for each other. They have been together for long and their love is still blazing and their relationship stable. They are still madly in love as if they met recently. Well, you may wonder what makes them remain so much in love. If you are starting a new relationship or wish to breathe a new life into your already existing dull relationship you may wonder what the secret behind those long-lasting couples is. However, you may even not have found your significant other and have no idea where to get him or her or how to go about. Do not worry; you can quickly hook up with your mate on some sites like https://www.happymatches.com  and end up with a life partner or a long-term partner.Continue reading

Instagram is a Dating Site, too! Here’s how it works

Back in the day, there was a rather clear distinction between matchmaking platforms and social media sites. For example, if you wanted to meet people online, you had to make a profile on a dating site. Nowadays, that’s not exactly the case. Most people these days are using Facebook and Twitter as dating platforms, and up until recently, Instagram was the only app that wasn’t used for such purposes. However, after a few big changes, this app became one of the most popular dating sites out there. So, if you have Instagram and you want to use this particular app as a dating platform, here’s how it works.

The Stories Changed The Game

A few years ago when Instagram didn’t have stories, it was rather hard for people to know who is really interested in them, who likes their photos out of courtesy, and who’s actually “stalking” them. Today, however, stories are one of the main indicators that tell users who their biggest fans are. As you probably already know, once you finish watching someone’s story, that person receives a notification that you watched their content. So, by reviewing their notifications, users can easily determine if you’re just a follower or a secret admirer. Also, you can use this method to subtly state your intentions without being intrusive or straightforward.

Discover And Search Options Help People Find Exactly What They Want

It’s safe to say that the advanced and improved options like “search” and “discover” are helping people to find the perfect potential partner. The intuitive search engine allows them to easily track down any person they know, both in real life and via other social media websites. Also, if users want to find someone completely new, they can search the Instagram by using specific hashtags and they will find exactly what they’re searching for. For example, if a guy is looking for redheads, he can simply insert #redhead and #redhair hashtags and the app will provide him with a number of beautiful girls and photos on his feed. As you can see, searching for a specific type is easier on Instagram than on other matchmaking platforms.

Direct Messaging Transformed Instagram

One of the options that changed the game completely is, of course, direct messaging. As you know, at first, Instagram only had “like” and “comment” options, while messages and chats were reserved for Facebook, Twitter, and specialized dating platforms. Nowadays, however, Instagram users are able to send direct messages to their followers. Naturally, this particular option allowed people to contact users they are attracted to in a private manner. In other words, they can use the previous options we mentioned in the article to track down a perfect person, follow them, and contact them via messages. These intuitive and rather convenient options are the main reason why this social media site is now one of the most popular matchmaking spots on the Internet. Therefore, even though this network was never meant to serve this purpose, it’s safe to say that Instagram is now a dating app too.