When we got married, one of the things I discussed with my husband is "to have a date night once of twice every month atleast". That way, we can connect fully to each other aside from the bedtime talks we have every night. We're in a long distance relationship and we only have 45 days to 60 days of ourselves every year.

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Why is date night necessary?
Having a time off together setting aside family or kids or work is essential to make your lasting relationship lasts. That is the only time you have for yourselves to reach out, to cling, and to connect with your spouse. May it be a dinner date at your backyard or in a fine dining restaurant, it doesn't matter as long as you have the time together in an hour or two to discuss primarily your relationship towards each other and set new plans or goals, long term goals. It helps build your relationship with your spouse and increase the trust, intimacy and faith with each other.

Reconnect and Recharge
We all know the stress beyond having a family and career. A career driven spouse might be fed up but won't speak up. Have the tendency to reconnect with your spouse and recharge your love banks. Date night is important between the two of you away from your kids so you can focus all of your energy and mind to your spouse. That way, you'll wake up having the thought of "it was like the first time you fell in love with your spouse" all over again.

Know your spouse' love language
Have you read the book 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman? If not, you can just take the exam to know your spouse love language and fill them in. You might be surprise that the love language you thought you already knew wasn't really that one, and then you started filling in each other's love bank. You'll get to realize that all the while, all you need is to fully know each other. I was surprise when I learned that mine wasn't about receiving gifts either.

There are so many things that you can do to protect your marriage and build your long lasting relationship with your spouse. Whenever a friend confide in me that they have a petty fight, the first thing I ask is "When did the two of you talk to each other?". Other times I mean to give them advice to "always talk to your husband first before anything else, because the only solution towards your relationship is in fact between the two of you". 

Although not every relationship does that, and it is easier to just blurt out details to your friends, just make sure that you don't keep those tiny secrets with your spouse as well. Spill the beans when the tension is not there anymore. No conflict is not solved without the talking. 

Don't forget to date your spouse. Have a date, reconnect and burn the fire between the love of your life.