Author Susan Mathis is back today with some practical tips for busy couples to help them stay connected and keep love alive.”

We hear it from couples over and over again. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how long you’ve been married, if you have kids at home, or grandkids near or far. Life is busy. And in the midst of our busyness, it’s easy to find ourselves disconnected from our spouses. So what are some simple ways to get reconnected without an expensive weekend get-away—or counseling sessions?

Try a few of these; you both may like them.

• Be intentional. Sync your schedules each week, and plan on time together.
• Get out your photo album and share memories together.
• Break the bedroom routine. Enjoy time together on the living room floor or another unusual place (when the kids aren’t around, of course).
• Write a love note and put it on your mate’s car seat.
• Create a Bucket List together.
• Watch old home movies together.
• Write “I love you” in lipstick on your mate’s mirror.
• Check out your baby pictures together.
• Do something your husband or wife loves, even if you don’t. That shoulder-to-shoulder and romantic stuff really matters.
• Make your dates unusual. Skip the dinner and a movie thing and go to a park, enjoy the zoo, a museum, or dancing. Mix it up and keep it fresh.
• Do chores together. Doing the dishes together gives you time to talk and lessens the workload.
• Massage each other’s shoulders. Rub his arm while watching TV. Stroke her hair while you cuddle. Touching is good.
• Walk around the neighborhood and pray for your neighbors.
• Make a new recipe together.
• Write a “What I appreciate about you list” for your mate.

There are endless possibilities—little things you can do to reconnect.

What are some ways you stay connected as a couple?