The secret of staying in love--Intimacy--

To experience intimacy, we must be able to touch our partner emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Here are some of the strands that make up the bond of intimacy between a husband and wife.

·         Physical touching of an affectionate, non-sexual nature

·         Shared feelings

·         Closeness without inhibitions

·         Absence of psychological defenses

·         Open communication and honesty

·         Intellectual agreement on major issues

·         Spiritual harmony

·         Sensitive appreciation of the mate’s physical and emotional responses

·         Similar values held

·         Imparted secrets

·         Genuine understanding

·         Mutual confidence

·         A sense of warmth, safety, and relaxation when together

·         Sensuous nearness

·         Sexual pleasures lovingly shared

·         Signs of love freely given and received

·         Mutual responsibility and caring

·         Abiding trust

·         An “understanding without words”

·         Staying away from hindrances and behaviors that hurt marriage relationship

·         Meeting needs

·         Staying in tune with each other and each other’s world