| When was the last time you really felt connected | | | | a babysitter on an ongoing basis, so that you can |
| with your partner? You know, that feeling that you | | | | continue to have adventures with your partner. Make |
| share something special between the two of you? | | | | a commitment to take two classes a month, and set |
| How about the last time you and your partner had a | | | | firm dates with your babysitter. |
| really good time together, just the two of you? | | | | 5. Bond if it's Bad |
| Despite the fact that you do share children, a home, | | | | If you happen to take a class that is just plain bad, |
| and a host of responsibilities with your partner, | | | | let go and have fun with it. A less-than-satisfactory |
| jam-packed schedules can make you feel as though | | | | class can be just as fun as one that really excites |
| you are two ships passing in the night. | | | | you. It's a bit giggling and passing notes to your crush |
| Having fun together and bonding over shared | | | | during a boring lecture. Remember, you are taking |
| experience are key ingredients in any relationship. | | | | the class to be together, so turn the bad class into |
| One of the best ways to reconnect with your | | | | prime bonding and you'll laugh about it together for |
| partner is to learn something new together. The fact | | | | years to come. |
| that you are both in foreign territory can create an | | | | 6. Don't Expect Too Much From Your Partner - or |
| instant bond, and an even playing field. | | | | Yourself |
| Unlike a halfhearted attempt to "go to the movies | | | | If your partner just isn't any good at cake decorating |
| sometime," taking a class together also requires a bit | | | | or water skiing, don't sweat it. Abstain from |
| of planning, and in most cases a little cash, so you | | | | judgment and focus on having a good time. Likewise, |
| are more likely to follow through and get out | | | | don't get too upset if you don't make it all the way |
| together. | | | | to the top of the mountain. The important thing is |
| Here are nine tips to help you and your partner | | | | you are doing something together. |
| rediscover each other through taking classes: | | | | 7. Leave Your Ego at the Door |
| 1. Do Something He/She Wants to Do | | | | Competing with your partner is a sure way to kill all |
| If you really want to get your partner excited about | | | | the romance. Who cares if he chops carrots faster |
| the idea of learning something new together, start | | | | than you, or if she picked up the hula on the first |
| with a class that he or she would like to do. It shows | | | | try? Again, the goal here is to connect with each |
| you recognize and care about your partner's | | | | other, smile a lot, laugh even more, and fill up that |
| interests. Besides, if your guy or gal is reluctant to | | | | well of common experience. |
| take a class to begin with, there is no way you're | | | | 8. Trade Off |
| getting them to an event centered on something | | | | If your partner is stuck in one quilting class after |
| they have no interest in. | | | | another, he or she is bound to abandon the idea of |
| 2. Do Something Brand New To Both of You | | | | taking classes with you. A system of trading off who |
| Learning something totally foreign to both of you is | | | | gets to choose the next class is a great way to |
| like entering uncharted waters together. In other | | | | make sure both of you are totally in to the |
| words, it's an adventure, which almost always leads | | | | experience at least half of the time. |
| to fun, laughter, and romance. | | | | 9. Document Your Fun |
| Choosing a class in which you will both be novices | | | | Think about the last photo you have of you and |
| also means you will naturally rely on each other to | | | | your partner having a good time together. If the |
| figure things out. Best yet, once you learn it you will | | | | most recent evidence of your romance is ten years |
| get to be "experts" together; you will have tons to | | | | old, it's time to make new memories and document |
| talk about with each other, your kids, and in your | | | | them. Take a camera along to your classes; pick up |
| social circle. | | | | brochures from the class, and save the instruction |
| 3. Start Out Small | | | | sheets and other souvenirs from the experience. Use |
| Don't get bogged down in the commitment of a class | | | | them to make a fun scrapbook that is just about |
| that takes place over many weeks, or has multiple | | | | you and your partner. It's a great way to honor your |
| class times during the week. If you have children, | | | | new commitment to each other. |
| that could be an almost impossible undertaking, and | | | | Taking classes can also lead to an entirely new |
| may also be expensive. | | | | direction for your and your partner. Perhaps in your |
| Instead, choose an evening class, such as a wine | | | | exploration of home restoration and gourmet |
| seminar or class in Tuscan cooking with a meal | | | | cooking, you would decide to open up a bed and |
| included. Or, check out Saturday half-day classes at | | | | breakfast. Or, maybe through your joint interest in |
| your local community college or continuing education | | | | abseiling, you might decide to purchase a summer |
| center, where you can find everything from how to | | | | home in Florida so you can abseil every day! |
| feng shui your home to playing the stock market. | | | | Get started today. Pick a class, any class, and sign up. |
| Remember to check out active classes, such as day | | | | Before you know it, you and your partner will be |
| long rock climbing lessons, or down hill ski classes | | | | exchanging those knowing glances, spontaneous |
| followed by a day on the slopes. | | | | kisses, and phone calls again. Now doesn't that sound |
| 4. Schedule a Regular Babysitter | | | | like fun? |
| Even if you are taking one-day-only classes, schedule | | | | |