After being in a relationship for a while the spark can kind of leave it like you’ve stepped on the romance candle by mistake. Obviously after you’ve been together for some time it can be hard to keep it going. If you’ve had your usual day of working in a toothpaste factory and on the way you nearly drowned in a large puddle then once you get home you’re not really going to be in the mood to romance your girl.

The main advice I can give you is make her think like she’s the only woman in the world. Saying ‘The fittest girl of the century was on the bus today, would love to tap that,’ probably won’t do you any favours. Neither will shouting out Katherine Moenig’s name during love making. I’m not talking about serenading her every morning, she may get tired of stepping over you to go get breakfast. No just tell her she’s the only one for you unexpectedly sometimes or write her a note before you leave for the day.

Something little gifts can boost a relationship no end. I don’t mean remortgage the house to buy a diamond bracelet or one of those expensive inside-out cats. I just think a little token when it’s not an anniversary or birthday that means something to her is really nice. A girlfriend once bought me ten galaxy ripples. They’re my favourite and it just really meant a lot that she had bothered to pick them up. I mean she expected sex that night but that’s beside the point. Just a little you’re-so-amazing-I-wish-I-could-shower-you-with-gifts-everyday type token of affection.

Surprise is also nice. Not the kind of surprise like telling her you may have slept with her sister or that you accidently knocked her mother out with a frying pan, but a nice one, like you’re taking her away for the weekend or you’ve cleaned the whole flat. Or have her favourite song on when she comes over. Or even better get the old fondue set out (You’re bound to have one, or seven, because EVERYONE thinks they’re amazing birthday gift) and smother grapes, strawberries marshmallows and lick it off. Do the same with her and the chocolate and then lick something else too. Always get brownie points.

Cooking for someone can be really lovely rather than just taking them out. It shows you’ve gone to all the effort. Although don’t do what I did and expect them to do all the washing up because you’ve used every single utensil and drank a bottle of wine while preparing it all. What I absolutely love the most are random romances. Getting up to watch the sunrise or staying up late on a starry night. A picnic next to a river was my best date because it was simple and we had the whole day to just relax.

I’m not the best at giving this advice, it’s very obvious from previous posts but these are just things I’ve learned or things that friends have told me that they do. I think it can be easy to forget that your partner is only your best friend but your lover too. But then again maybe buy her a book called ‘How to be romantic,’ and give to her. I mean why should you do all the work?