10 small but significant romantic gestures that can improve any relationship almost immediately

Architectural designer Lily Piper Worth appreciates how her husband makes tea for her every morning. She’s a health-conscious person who enjoys yoga and acupuncture, so it’s a meaningful gesture. “He makes tea that includes local honey, a lemon and hot water in a BPA-free bottle he bought me,” she says. Lisa Bahar, a licensed psychotherapist, explains that small thoughtful gestures are “reassuring indicators that communicate commitment and love and most of all, respect.” Whether it’s putting dirty socks in the hamper instead of leaving them on the floor or getting fuel for her car and anything in between, Bahar adds, “the cliché ‘the little things matter’ is true.”

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Oral hygiene may not be the first thing that comes to mind in the romance department, but for Misty Lister, a public relations account executive, it is. “The one thing that really fills my heart with joy is he prepares my toothbrush every morning, sometimes at lunch, and every night before bed,” she says of her partner. “He doesn’t ever say a word, nor do I. He just puts toothpaste on my toothbrush and leaves it on the edge of the sink for me to find whenever I’m ready. And it’s totally romantic because having a clean mouth means you’re very kissable!”

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Karin Lazarus Kienzlen, a customer relations specialist who is coming up on her sixth wedding anniversary, says her husband’s caring touch is especially meaningful. “One of the many things Joe does that I find extremely romantic is when I’m falling off to sleep at night or waking in the morning, he reaches over and cups my face with his hand,” she says. “It’s a lingering ‘you have my heart’ touch. He calms my soul.” Dr Marni Amsellem, PhD, a licensed psychologist, explains that small romantic gestures are beneficial to a relationship. “Some of the most memorable things that partners can do for each other are these thoughtful and personalised gestures which communicate care or love,” she says. “Consequently, these actions can directly promote bonding and facilitate intimacy.”

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For Eileen Roth, author of Organising for Dummies, love is all about bananas. She explains that she’s an avid banana fan, enjoying everything from banana cream pies to raw bananas. Her husband, on the other hand, is not a fan of the fruit. He not only has a strong dislike for their taste and can’t stand the smell of peels in the bin, but doesn’t even like touching them. “But since he knows I like bananas, he will ask a stranger in the supermarket to put the bananas into the shopping cart if I am not with him,” she says. “And he will ask the cashier to take them out. He will even let me eat banana cream pie in front of him at a restaurant. The fact that he will find a way to buy bananas without touching them – that’s love.”

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“Of all the nice things my husband does for me, one of the ‘smallest’ but most meaningful things is leaving me hidden surprises,” says Cindy McKinley, author of three books including the children’s book, One Smile. “I might open the fridge and find a sticky note that says ‘You are my best friend’ on my pumpkin. Or, I might open up my vitamins and, written on the underside of the lid, it says, ‘I love you.'” She explains that this is pretty much an effortless gesture that leaves her with a lingering feel-good mood. “Making the effort to do something that is unexpected,” Dr Amsellem says, “may be just the antidote to their day that they maybe didn’t even realise they needed.”

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“My husband Ryan’s most romantic small gestures have been having the kids thank me at the end of the day for specific things I did for them that day,” says Blair Critch, a network marketing entrepreneur. “It shows me he notices that I am doing a bunch of things throughout the day for our family, which allows me to feel appreciated.”

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Christine Kim enjoys the fact that her partner thinks of her while he’s travelling. “My boyfriend of two years is in fashion and travels a lot for trade shows and fashion shows,” she says. “Every trip he makes, he manages to come back with a personal gift that is special to the city, state or country.” Whether it’s a lipstick or a button/patch for her denim jacket, she says this makes her feel special. “It makes me feel like he’s always thinking of me no matter where he is or how busy he might be.” When a significant others’ actions convey levels of respect that makes another person feel good, Bahar says, “they are more inclined to nurture the relationship back and a healthy connection continues to be strengthened, because the person feels appreciative.”

Sometimes, it’s the memories of past gestures that still evoke strong emotions. Katie Evans, CEO of Living Lite Hypnosis Centers, Inc. explains that her husband died several years ago. “It’s still the small considerations I remember,” she says. “He liked to pull the TP up from the roll. I preferred it rolling over the top. One day he changed the paper and I noticed it was put on the roll as I liked it.” When she thanked him, she says he responded that it was a small gesture which made her happier, which in turn pleased him.

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Brittany Sherwood, a psychiatric nurse practitioner who often meets with patients in the evening hours, explains that her partner Mark does all of the grocery shopping and cooks their dinners. Additionally, he prepares food while taking her “fairly picky” preferences into consideration, right on down to the spiciness level and omission of mushrooms. This effort shows how much he values their relationship, she says.

What’s better than taking a relaxing shower after a long day? Wrapping yourself up in a toasty towel afterwards, of course. Kailey Faber, director of a real estate technology firm, says her husband will put a towel in the dryer to warm it up. “When I get out, I have a nice warm towel to dry off with,” she says. “As a mum of two young kids, a shower is sometimes the only alone time I get. I love how my husband knows that and will make that time extra special for me.”

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Source: RD.com