Simple Things to Make Your Romantic Relationships Stronger

Watch enough TV and you'd think that the only ways to impress a girl are with a diamond ring the size of your thumbnail, a trip to Paris or a gondola ride through the city at night. Those things are all well and good, but they certainly aren't the only way to put a smile on her face. The old saying holds true ... it's the thought that counts. Putting thought into even the most minute things in your relationship will mean boatloads to your wife or girlfriend. Here are 5 things to remember:

Listen to her - sure, the game is on, or you had a long day, or the guys are waiting for you to watch the game after a long day. We love doing that (myself included), but just take a few minutes to emotionally connect with your other half. You don't have to discuss your feelings or what curtains to pick out. Just listen to her. Make sure to hold her or look her in the eye as she's telling you about her day. Show her that she's the top priority in your life and that the relationship is important. Doing that makes her want to give back to you (maybe in the form of a night out with the guys). Besides, you can always catch highlights of the game later. That's what SportsCenter is for.

Be creative with the gift giving - one of my wife's friends looked disappointed a few years ago when he told me that it cost $70 to order FTD flowers around Valentine's Day to be delivered to his wife at work (stupid thing ... they both teach at the same school)! I told him that giving roses on Cupid Day is just that ... a given. Me? I bought a dozen at the grocery store and got home before my wife. I plucked the petals off, leaving a trail of them through the house. At the end of the trail was a letter, telling her how much she meant to me, and how she deserved to walk on the petals of roses. More romantic, less expensive, and you couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

Be spontaneous with the gift giving - few things in life make your partner feel better than giving her a gift out of nowhere and just because. If there's no birthday or special occasion around the corner, that's a great time. Middle of the week? Even better. The less she expects it, the more she'll be surprised when you do something little but meaningful.

Help around the house - believe me, it works. It's not a clean floor or dusted coffee table that she enjoys seeing. It's the thought of you wanting to help her and you taking pride in your home. The mere fact that she doesn't have to ASK for your help will blow her away.

Be positive when she feels down - I'm not talking Saturday Night Live cheerleader positive here. I'd smack myself if I were that peppy. I mean if she has a bad day, listen to her, and remind her that the best part of a bad day is the end of it, and that's where she is. If she worries about the future, or money, or even if she doesn't know what to wear for Saturday ... don't blow smoke, just remind her that the two of you have each other. Whatever we do, we do together. She'll love it.