Mr Anniversary Gift

One glance at the nearest supermarket checkout rack and it's clear that our obsession with celebrities' love lives knows no limits. From their first meetings (at fabulous Hollywood parties or on blind dates set up by their agents) to their starry-eyed proposals and six-figure weddings, followed (inevitably, it seems) by their stormy divorces, we can't get enough.

And it's not just that we love hearing the juicy details -- we really care about what happens to our favorite and not-so-favorite couples. Our hearts break a little when a good-seeming thing (like Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe) falls apart, and we shake our heads and think, "told you so," when a train wreck of a relationship (We won't name names.) meets its preordained end.

This cultural obsession with the loves of the rich and famous may seem more heated than ever in our lightning-speed Internet age, but it's nothing new, says Jake Halpern, author of Fame Junkies.

"We've always been taken with these kinds of stories -- it goes back to Greek mythology, where people would follow the sex romps of the all-powerful Zeus," he says. "Celebrities are our modern mythology -- we find what they do fascinating and we draw examples from it."

Which isn't to say they set good examples: A third marriage at 30? Participating in a reality show that will showcase every crack in your relationship to the masses? Declaring eternal love for a virtual stranger from the cover of a magazine? Celebrities have done it all, and while they don't always appear to learn from their mistakes, that doesn't mean we can't.

Here, the wisdom we can gather from the misfires -- and, yes, the occasional triumphs -- of our larger-than-life counterparts.

Labels: celebrities, love lessons, romance

Many men are clueless when it comes to romancing their wives. It’s not because the desire isn’t there, it’s because the know-how isn’t.

The first thing to always remember, is what it took to get her is what it’s going to take to keep her. Think back to the time when you asked her out on your first date. Where did you go, what did you do? The obvious signs are there that she appreciated your efforts because she’s your wife now, correct?

The best way to romance your wife is to roll back the hands of time and start dating her again. Perhaps take her to a restaurant she’s mentioned wanting to visit. A movie is always a good option, however, the entire point of this whole dating thing, is to romance her, not shut her up.

Consider ordering paper roses to commemorate the special occasion or the just because occasion.

Going through the motions is half the fun. Send her an email asking her out – call her from work in the middle of the day – you could even call her from another room in the house; just make sure it’s obvious that the effort is being made on your part to actually date her.

And never forget, what it took to get her is what it takes to keep her.

Labels: anniversary, couples, date, marriage, romance, wife

For a marriage to survive and last until that dreamy "forever," intimacy must exist between the couple. What is intimacy anyway? This just does not pertain to the act of making love, but fulfilling each other's emotional needs. It entails enlightening conversations in between kisses and caresses.

A lot of marriage counselors chalk up the longevity of a marriage to how intimate the couple is.

Here are some ways to achieve that intimacy for that ideal, almost magical marriage:

1. All work and no intimacy make a dull couple.

It is a given that after a crazy day at the office, the husband and wife both feel exhausted. But they must not let it get in the way of their relationship. They must allow for some quality time in and out of their love bed.

2. The husband must give what his wife wants: quality talk time.

Wives want to talk things out and express what is inside their hearts. The husband must grant her that as this is one way to achieve emotional intimacy.

3. The couple must still exert an effort to look attractive.

It does not mean that both must be “dressed up” all the time. But married couples must still try their best to look nice for their partners. This is one of the ways to start up the intimacy.

4. The couple must schedule dates.

Dating must not end at marriage. In fact, both should set a time to go out and have fun, just like before.

5. Husband and wife must continually unleash their romantic side.

Kisses, hugs, flowers, holding hands, stolen smacks...’the works’ - they do magic in a relationship.

6. Surprises are nice.

Sweet surprises always lead to intimacy. If the couple knows when to pull off these incredibly romantic stints, then that's a surefire way to attain a divorce-proof relationship.

7. Solving a problem before it gets blown out of proportion is important.

Intimacy loses its appeal once it gets "infected" by those conflicts that cripple the relationship. Conflicts should let a couple grow and not cause the downfall.

It is nice to earn that happily-ever-after plateau. But marriage is not as easy as a Disney fairytale had told everyone. Intimacy must be maintained long after the honeymoon is over to guarantee the husband and wife that yes, this marriage would last. That yes, forever is possible.

By: Joe & Emily Season -

Labels: anniversary, intimacy, marriage, romance