Aside from love, a marriage should have a foundation of communication and a strong bond in friendship. You must consider your mate your companion in order for the relationship to remain alive. It takes a lot of work to make a marriage successful, but if both parties are willing then it's not impossible. If you feel like something is missing in a relationship, then the desire to be romantic toward that person, and the desire for that person to be romantic toward you usually takes the backseat.

Being married without having those special romantic moments can make a marriage miserable. Neither person feels loved or attractive when their significant other isn't making an effort in the romance department. That is why communication is key. Keep the conversation open and discuss what each person is feeling. Even after years of marriage, romantic bliss may not be as frequent, but it should still remain.

I've heard many people say that they don't have the time or the means to be romantic. It really doesn't take a lot of time or money to show someone you still care. People often confuse themselves by thinking that to be romantic means they have to spend a ton of money. Romance is best when it's kept simple.

Here a a few romantic ideas that won't damage the funds beyond fixing:

Try writing an acrostic poem and placing it in a bottle. Use your spouse's name, or a phrase that's special to the both of you and let your creativity run wild. Take the finished product and scroll it up, tie a small ribbon around it, stick it in small glass bottle, and let it float in the bath tub. Place a few lit candles in the room for romantic lighting. If you have children, this is something that can be done while they are sleeping. Serving chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne adds nicely to the ambiance.

If either of you are music fans, call the local radio station to dedicate a song to your honey. You'll have to make sure the radio is on, so your spouse catches it. I'm sure the smiles on his or her face will be enough to light up the room.

When the weather permits, set off for a romantic stroll with your partner. Try setting the date for a time in the early evening. Get a small picnic basket together with some romantic food (wine, grapes, cheese, crackers (nothing too troubling). Think about how romantic it would be if you're lucky enough to watch the sun go down together. It's a perfect ending to the day.

When your sweetheart is sleeping, leave little love messages here and there. Post-its work well. It'll show what you were thinking about while your loved one was sleeping.

Keep it simple by renting a few classic romance movies and watch them by candlelight. Prepare a few things to nibble on while the movie is playing . Food can be a very romantic thing. Both men and women are often surprised and impressed when someone spends time creating a tasty treat.

These are only a few ideas that can help keep the flames going in a marriage. You still have to compromise with one another and keep the lines of communication open. Remember, marriage is a journey with twisting turns, and even though you may sometimes feel like you're caught in a rut, it's the simple things that can make the most difference.