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18 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • March 2022 Routine can be comforting, but it can also get boring! If you find that your relationship has moved way out of the honeymoon phase and well into the comfort zone, it might be time to shake things up a bit by replacing routine with recreation. While the occasional date night plays an important role in the life of every couple, it's not always enough. This is because long-term couples tend to do the same ole things and have the same ole conversations. Novelty—introducing something new—is the key to reinvention! Through new experiences, you will see your significant other as a source of excitement and partner in personal growth, just as you did at the beginning of your romance. It's All About Connection The mind-body-soul connection a couple shares is incomparable to any other type of relationship. Choose activities that will enhance that unique bond. Emily Grimes, instructor at Fredericksburg's Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio, says that dancing with your partner is a form of communication. "Through each other's bodies, and through the responsibilities of the partnership, ballroom dancing helps couples learn to communicate better with each other through increased physical sensitivity, mind-body connection and self-aware- ness," Grimes explains. Strictly Ballroom class offerings are wide-ranging. From the Waltz to Fox Trot, Rumba to West Coast Swing, there's a dance style for all tastes, whether you're a beginner or a pro. Saturday nights are for social dancing—a fun opportunity to show off the skills you've learned in class and enjoy some light refreshments while mingling. Grimes says that partner dance is a great way to rekindle romance in part due to the release of "feel-good endorphins" and an increase in feelings of trust and confidence in your partner. "This new-found connection, confidence and trust is sure to help couples relearn how to com- municate in the bedroom!" she says. Not convinced dancing is the right path for you and your SO? Not to worry! Fredericksburg has a multitude of options to explore. WRITTEN BY RHIANNON ELLIS Rekindling your Relationship with Recreational Companionship Rekindling your Relationship with Recreational Companionship