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Ask anyone in a committed long-term union for the secret of their success. Almost always, one of the top three reasons cited is the ability to laugh together. No matter how big the problems, or how many the obstacles, they will be most effectively approached with a sense of humor and the teamwork that emerges from shared laughter and a mutually positive outlook.

So this week, put the fun back in your relationship with the following suggestions:

Play hooky. Both of you call in sick to work (or take a vacation day to avoid violating your workplace sick day abuse policy) and then go hang out at the mall like truant high school sophomores. Spend some time coming up with totally outrageous excuses that you know you will never be able to deliver with a straight face.

Take a class together. Learn a new language and only communicate in that language over dinner one evening. Take a cooking class. Cook the recipe together and then feed each other. Or take an art class and finger-paint each others’ portraits.

Flirt. Pretend you’ve just met and try out some cheesy pick up lines on your partner for a laugh.

Deliberately establishing “recess” periods gives us a break from the daily grind. Just as children don’t learn well if they don’t have a chance to go out and play, adults need a recess too.

It not only allows us to return to work re-energized and renewed, but most importantly, the play time with our partner intensifies our relationship and can keep our affection green and growing through the years ahead.

I’m on vacation this week, and one of the things I have been looking forward to doing is spending some quality time with my husband.

Normally, it’s hard for us to connect because he works at night, and I work during the day. With the household responsibilities and an active teenager (who can’t drive yet), we don’t have a lot of free time.

Does this sound familiar?

We can make a lot of excuses for not making/finding time for romance, but the truth is we can put a little romance in our day…EVERY DAY!

When we think “romance,” we assume that means something like a candlelit dinner, soft music, the little black dress, and champagne. But that’s at the far end of the romance spectrum, where special occasions reign–occasions that don’t come along very often. About as often as we wear that little black dress.

But romance shouldn’t be an occasional thing. It should be part of your daily diet. Now, I know you’re already thinking again, “But who’s got time?”

YOU DO! And I’ll tell you how.

Let’s look at the ordinary, everyday variety of romance, otherwise known as “affection.” Yeah, I’ve got your attention now, don’t I? Because affection is easy, affection is doable. As a matter of fact, you may already make affection a part of your daily routine.

If not, here are the first steps to put a dash of romance into your every day–hold hands, kiss, hug, compliment, write a note, give a gift, and of course, say “I love you.”

These may seem pretty basic and you might be thinking there are a million more ways to be romantic, and you’re right!

So tell me, what are your easy, every day strategies for romance?