R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Romance begins with respect. If you don't respect the person you're with, any attempts at romance are going to seem superficial and insincere. Roses and chocolates from someone who shows nothing but disdain for your thoughts and opinions does little to make you feel valued and may even make you feel even more as if you're not being listened to. On the other hand, if you do respect one another and feel valued and respected yourself, even simple, mundane acts such as doing the dishes or taking out the trash can seem like romantic gestures.

Where respect is concerned, it means listening to, and truly caring what your partner has to say. It means valuing their thoughts and opinions enough to let them be voiced. It means valuing and listening to your spouse's boundaries. It means listening with an open mind if they want to try something new, but being understanding if they feel uncomfortable with something you want. It means giving more than you take willingly and freely (or at least more than you feel like you're taking). It means taking the golden rule seriously and treating your partner with the same love and devotion that you expect from them.

Respect can be a difficult thing to show in today's day and age. It's not always easy to trust your partner to treat you as well as you treat them. However, most of the time, they will. If not, then you probably need to be looking for another type of blog.

Respecting another person's boundaries may not always be easy. Sometimes that can mean giving your partner a little bit of space when you really would prefer to talk things out. Other times, it could mean giving up something that you were really hoping to be able to do because your partner is uncomfortable with it. It may mean going to a party or social event when you'd prefer to just stay home. It could mean the opposite of those as well. Ultimately, both partners need to be willing to give in to the other at least once in a while to show true respect. However, giving in should never mean that you have to compromise your morals or values, and if you are asking your partner to do this, you are asking too much of them and not showing them the kind of respect they deserve.

Ultimately, the more respect you show to one another, the better your relationship will be. Once you have that respect in place, and the trust that goes along with it, it's time to step up the romance.