Love express

Treating your sweetie to a vacation or lavish dinner is one way to show you care, but there is an easier (not to mention less-expensive!) way. According to Toronto certified relationship and sexuality therapist Rebecca Rosenblat, the key to a lasting and loving relationship is in the details. "Remembering little details shows that you're paying attention to each other," she says. "It's about being somebody to someone in a world where it's easy to feel like nobody to no one." Whether it's picking up his favourite flavour of ice cream or holding hands at the movies, the little things make a big difference. Here are seven ways to keep your love alive.

"I know this sounds silly, but never stop touching. No matter what kind of day the two of us have had, I know we're still 'okay' if when we go to bed, we hook our feet together."
– Tanya, dating eight months

"Make a cup of tea for your partner and chat. The more little things you do for each other, the healthier your relationship will be. Strengthen your bond one cup at a time!"
– Eileen, married three years

"When my husband Paul and I go out, I still thank him for the evening. I think it's easy to take things for granted, because it's your husband. It makes a difference to say 'I had a really nice time,' like you do when you're dating."
– Lorraine, together 17 years, married 10 years

"A quick phone call lets you know he's thinking of you. My husband will call and say, 'Hi, just called to say I love you!' which makes me happy. Or we leave little notes. It shows that for that moment, we were thinking of each other."
– Lesley, married six months

"I help fold the sheets – you need two people! Also, if we're both making dinner, puttering around, one of us will stop and set the table. And when I wash the dishes, I dry them and put them away so she doesn't have to do anything in the morning."
– Dave, common-law 14 years

"My husband makes breakfast in bed for me because I'm not a morning person. I'll make it up to him by making dinner more special."
– Rebecca, married two-and-a-half years

"I make the drinks. If we're having drinks at home, it's up to me. My wife told me a couple of years ago that that's the way it is and I'm happy to oblige."
– Dave, together 12 years, married six months