2020 has been a very strange and eventful year so far. We’ve all come to learn all about how to behave when there’s a deadly pathogen on the loose, and keeping two metres distant from those around us has become almost second nature. In fact, we may find it uncomfortable, or even anxiety-inducing, to be in close quarters with other people even after the lockdown has lifted and we’re all able to resume our previous lives.
Of course, this all makes celebrating those special moments a little bit tricky. Weddings have been called off, funerals have been delayed, and birthday parties have been scaled back.
Anniversaries, however, are a little bit different. As they’re usually celebrated by two people who might be cohabiting, or even sharing the same bed, the social distancing rules don’t apply.
With that said, not all couples found themselves in this happy situation. If you were just at the early stages of a promising relationship when the lockdown kicked in, then adhering to the rules might have prevented you from spending time with your partner.
At the other end of the spectrum are couples for whom lockdown has been a particular strain. While you might have been cohabiting with a partner for years, being forced to spend every moment in the same building with them might have been a new experience. Familiarity, as the saying goes, can breed contempt. Throw the stress of housebound kids into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for serious disquiet.
In either instance, an anniversary can represent an opportunity to remind each other exactly what you’re getting out of the relationship. If you’ve gotten into the same routine, then there are some ways you might use the occasion to break things up a little. So what can you do?
Recreate Special Moments
You’re not allowed to return to that restaurant where you went on your first date, or enjoyed your first meal as a married couple. But you can recreate the significant elements with a little bit of imagination and an online cookery instruction. Break out the best cutlery and light some candles. The nostalgia effect can be powerful, perhaps even encouraging you to spend time reminiscing about the past, and rediscovering why you’re together in the first place.
Invest in Gifts to Celebrate
Buying something for your significant other will help you to demonstrate just how much you care – especially if your gift is an unexpected one. A chocolate hamper will reliably go down well, especially if you’ve been eating well throughout the lockdown. Bunches of flowers tend to be similarly reliable – and it’ll help you keep your local florist in business, too.
Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy your special day.
This is a collaborative post
