There is something sacred about stumbling upon an older couple sneaking kisses or holding hands. In our counter-cultural age of fast-food relationships over before the kids have reached kindergarten, seasoned love is a treat to behold.
I don’t know about you, but I crave this “old people in the park holding hands kind of love.” I want my husband to desire me at 41, 51, 61 and 91 (Lord willing we attain this age).
But sex is such a tough issue to broach in the church. We clam up, get awkward and pretend that good Christians don’t really need it.
(As if God didn’t create us to be sexual beings)
We forget that sex is a crucial factor in romance and it is the glue that keeps a marriage chugging on and on over the years.
It is also the one vital factor which separates friendship from love.
Sex matters in a marriage!
Sex helps you feel more connected to your partner, it makes you feel cared for and comforted, and, hello ladies, it’s fun, remember?
My friend reminded me of a comment I made to her years ago.
Sex is like working out. It’s a pain in the ass to schlep all your gear to the gym and to drag your butt on to the treadmill or into the Zumba class, but once you get there and get warmed up you remember how much you actually like it and then you relax and enjoy the ride (no pun intended).
Yep. Sex is like working out. And we all know the benefits of a regular workout routine.
The problem is (with both sex and exercise) we make excuses to not be active. Because, let’s be honest, it’s far easier to be lazy and pretend to be asleep when our husbands make a move toward us.
Life certainly invades…
Through the years, we all change both physically and emotionally, and the days become chaotic with family and sports and demanding work schedules. But, even with the inevitable curve balls we will all encounter in and outside of our relationships, it is possible to keep the sparks flying (or at least smoldering!)
Many couples erroneously believe that the natural attraction and sexual desire they enjoyed during the honeymoon of their relationship will seamlessly carry over, without any effort, throughout their marriage.
Sorry folks…this is a lie.
Romance, desire and sex, will cease to exist unless it is both honored and nurtured by both parties in a couple.
As neuroscientific research has proven, during the first six to eighteen months of a new relationship, our brain excretes a variety of neurochemicals, which helps to accelerate our biological mating dance. Our brains are flooded with serotonin and dopamine, which keeps passion ignited, with very little effort on our part.
Then, as mysteriously as these mating neurochemicals arrive, they depart. And when this happens, usually within eighteen months of the start of a relationship, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and work a little harder when it comes to our sex life.
So if sex is a priority, (which it should be!) then we need to make it important and red flag it on the calendar for the one we love.
Maybe it means taping a favorite show or going to bed earlier or putting the kids in their own room…
According to Rachel Sussman –author of the Breakup Bible, you can keep passion alive and thriving through regular and productive (no blaming, shaming, or complaining, please) communication with your partner about sex.
Be sure to discuss the following:
- Make a commitment to make sex a priority!
- Take the time to discuss what sex means to each of you. To my husband sex=love. To me it equals affection. His need might be a little more pressing than mine.
- If you lead a busy life (and who doesn’t) it’s perfectly OK to put sex dates on the calendar. Don’t worry that scheduling may become “formulaic” –looking forward to sex is a treat for a guy. And ladies, if you put it on the calendar…do not change the playdate without a conversation and a reschedule. (It’s like telling your kid you are going to Disneyland and canceling because you have a headache. Be kind to your man!)
- Shake it up. Try something new. I’ll leave it at that!
- Worried that you won’t be “in the mood”? Allow yourself a “transitional time”. If sex is in the calendar tonight (or if you’d like it to be) – prepare yourself earlier in the day. Send your spouse a flirty text. Take a bubble bath, grab a glass of wine and allow the days stressors to slide off. Light a few candles, grab your iPod and set the mood.
Have fun, enjoy the love of your life, and make your marriage a priority!
