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Secrets to a happy romantic relationship: Respect

Respect is one of the foundation stones of all happy and fulfilling relationships. Respect means recognizing our own worth—and the worth of others. Now that you’re a couple, you’re a team that are mutually-supportive. This takes work as nobody is perfect. Be honest and considerate to your partner. Be compassionate and forgive mistakes your partner makes and apologise for your own as soon as you can.

Be respectful partners

familyHealthy self-respect is when you know that your thoughts, feelings and body deserve respect. To truly be respected, we must also respect. You’re individuals with your own strengths and weaknesses. The yin to the other’s yang. As a couple mutual decisions will sometimes need to be made by compromise. Being respected doesn’t mean your needs always take priority over your partner’s. When making individual decisions, always think how this will impact your partner.

With your partner, you’re a united front. Though you don’t have the same thoughts, you can reach an agreement with kindness and dignity. Take time and make the effort to really listen to your partner, and allow the conversation to flow. Put away your phone and give your partner your full attention when they’re talking. Do not dismiss an idea or suggestion unkindly if you disagree with it as it will make future conversations difficult. How you say something is just as important as what you do, so don’t be aggressive, angry or make your partner feel small. If you feel you’ve hurt your partner – apologise to him and buy him something for excuse – even if there is no current occasion like your wedding anniversary. After all this is the path to it and when it comes you can get a perfect 25th wedding anniversary gift from here.

Appreciate your differences

Accept, or at the very least tolerate your differences. Be respectful of each others boundaries and protect your own from being undermined. Understand and respect your partner’s personal boundaries regarding time together/apart, physical contact, etc. Accept that you can’t change your partner. If your partner likes eating smelly cheese and you hate the aroma, find your own way to learn to live with it.

Acknowledge contributions

Let your partner know when they have done something you appreciate. Don’t ever take your partner for granted. Acknowledging their help or support with a sincere ‘Thank you’, a love note or a little gift shows that you cherish having your partner in your life. Accept that your partner is going to let you down sometimes.

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Anniversary Gifts between couples

As a couple, you will want to celebrate the anniversary of your wedding, whether this was 2 years or 20 years ago. Decide whether you’d like to purchase a gift as a couple, or whether you’d rather give each other a surprise.

If you’re having trouble selecting an anniversary gift, consider the traditional and modern wedding anniversary gifts that are listed for every year of marriage. If the suggestions for your particular anniversary year do not inspire, have a look at the other years. You’re celebrating your marriage, so there is no reason to be limited by the choices given in the traditional or modern lists. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about your gift to each other. If you agree that you both want to buy a vacuum cleaner then that’s fine. After all, an anniversary gift that a couple gets for themselves is their choice alone.

Stay traditional

Pick a gift for your anniversary that has significance to both of you. A joint gift could be a large purchase that you both want. You may want to upgrade your television for example or perhaps have a vacation to a place that you both want to visit, but haven’t yet got to.
This one needs couplesome planning ahead, but in the weeks leading up to your anniversary, remind yourself of your past years together by writing each other little letters or love notes to be exchanged on the date of your anniversary. You can write about your memories, how you feel about them and all the little things they do that you appreciate. Write whatever feels right for you.

If you’re not keen on writing, how about a box of small gifts that remind you of your partner and the relationship you have shared. Think of the significant times in your relationship and what you love most about your partner to get some ideas. The first song you danced to, the first movie you saw, include an umbrella for the time you kissed her on the seafront and you both got soaked by a wave, a bottle of whiskey that you toasted your child’s new birth with. Get creative and don’t take it all too seriously!

Relive the day

At any anniversary you may wish to renew your vows. Choose a romantic candle-lit dinner for two or if your marriage was a small affair, have the big celebration that you dreamed of having when you were engaged.
Watching your wedding video or going through the wedding photos is another popular way to spend a wedding anniversary. You will laugh at all the things that stressed you then and it will also remind you of the feelings of love, happiness and joy you feel for your spouse.
If you want to go out for a meal, perhaps you can revisit the restaurant where you held your wedding reception. This is a great opportunity to invite those who were not at your wedding and to share memories. Contact the restaurant to see if the meal you had at your reception is still on the menu. If not, call ahead and ask about the possibility of recreating the meal for your anniversary celebration. Another idea is to have a fun time together re-creating the same meal at home or buy in gourmet food if you don’t have the wish or skills to cook that meal.
You may like to upgrade your wedding rings if they have become worn or damaged over time. Choose new rings together or make something new with the original rings by having them melted down by a jeweller who can create a new pair of rings to your specification.

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Gift Ideas For Your Dad

Whether it be your Dad’s birthday or Father’s day is coming up, you can make your gift something unique, memorable and exciting. While a new tie, aftershave, and socks may be welcomed by your Dad (you know he loves you no matter what) these are personal things that most men would prefer to select for themselves. There are a lot of other ideas you may want to consider.img

The most precious gift of Time

Time is definitely the greatest gift of all and something we each are able to give. Write him a letter, in your own handwriting, that lets him know how
important he is to you and how you appreciate his support. You can include specific memories from childhood onwards when he acted as your role model or your hero. Write whatever you like to let him know you love him and are proud to call him dad. This is a gift he will treasure. Make a promise that you’ll keep in touch more often. If it is possible, spend time with your dad doing things you know he’ll appreciate, such as going for a hike together; going fishing, cycling, or sailing together; watch a movie together; visit an art gallery or museum; attend a sports match. Choose whatever you’re sure he’ll enjoy, make all the arrangements for transport and make sure there is time to just chill and talk together.

Fulfil his dreams

If your dad has a dream of piloting a plane, driving a sports car, taking a hot-air balloon ride arrange that for him. Ask the rest of the family to contribute to the gift if you need to reduce costs, with the added bonus that your siblings don’t have to find a separate gift themselves. Make sure someone is there to record the experience and be there to share the thrill with him.

If the above sounds a bit too adventurous for your dad, how about booking him into cooking classes for his favorite cuisine. Or perhaps he would like to learn a new craft like pottery or woodcarving. A weekend artists course or a lecture tour to an area he has an interest in or wants to return to could tie in with a mini-vacation.
match his interests

If your Dad is already busy with a lot of interests and hobbies of his own, check the things he might need for these. Perhaps there is some piece of sports equipment that is wearing out and in need of upgrading or replacement. Perhaps there is a better version of some of his electronic or computer gear, or simply something new that has been invented and he hasn’t yet tried.

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