Keeping romance alive in our day-to-day lives can be hard enough with all of life's demands, routines and rhythms, let alone keeping that spark vibrant during a Global Pandemic ( *sigh* - we feel you).

Since connection is our bread and butter, we're here to help!

We've listed a few ways you can use our cards, and our philosophy, to reignite the romance in your life during these unprecedented times:

1. Verbal Acknowledgement 

When connecting with your partner, whether it's about something personal, emotional, or simply chatting about how your day is going, try these three things for more impactful verbal communication:

• Repeat: Acknowledge what your person is saying to you by repeating what they've said in similar words to show that you hear and understand what they're saying/telling you. This shows the other person you're not only listening, but it helps keep you engaged, too!
• Validate: No one wants to feel like they're being invalidated when sharing their personal experiences or emotions. Remember that it's not your story to tell, and that we are each entitled to our own perceptions of the feelings and experiences we have. 
• Never try and change them: Ding ding ding!!! Many personal conflicts in your relationships can be avoided if we accept one another for who we are, and remove the notion of trying to "fix" one another. #notcool

2. Small Gestures

Yes, love languages are a real thing, and for a lot of us we feel seen and cared for by our partners giving us small gestures of love. Here are some small, yet mighty, things you can try: 

• Send your lover a fiery text message during their work day (even if you're sitting on your laptops in the living room next to each other) 
• Bring them their favourite morning beverage first thing in the am (coffee, tea, smoothie!?) 
• Take a minute (or a few) to have a warm embrace, kiss, cuddle, or touch during the hustle and bustle of your day. 
• Leave some love notes in a special place for them to come across during their day. 

3. Check In

Let's be real. We all want to be checked in on. We all want someone to look at us, fully and wholly, and say: "how are you, really?". Even if you think you know your person in and out, and know everything about them, you must remember we're living in a time where things are unknown, and life is not "routine" as it once was.

It's important to keep your lines of communication open surrounding your partners mental health, over-all wellbeing, and sense of fulfillment or loneliness. Here's a few conversation starters to check in with your lover: 

• How are you, really?
• What's something you need to get off your chest that will make your heart feel less heavy today?
• What's something you miss doing?
• Share something you've learned recently.
• How are other people showing up for you during this time of your life?