How to Keep the Spark Alive in a Long-Term Relationship (opens in new tab)

In the early days of a relationship, the spark seems effortless. Everything is new and exciting, attraction runs high, and we make endless effort to delight each other. But as relationships settle into the long term, that initial fire often dims. The intensity of new love naturally mellows, and without attention, a relationship can slide into routine, comfortable but a little flat, the passion replaced by the predictable rhythms of shared life. This is not a sign that love has failed; it is a...