{"id":4898,"date":"2026-08-03T20:18:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=4898"},"modified":"2026-08-03T20:18:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:18:48","slug":"how-has-your-partner-surprised-you-lately","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=4898","title":{"rendered":"How Has Your Partner Surprised You Lately?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"How<\/p>\n

A few months ago, my husband Max and I celebrated eight years of marriage<\/a>. After nearly a decade together, I thought I knew all his go-to moves to impress me. When we were dating, he\u2019d pick me up in his red, 1966 Mustang<\/a>, and we\u2019d spend the day driving down Highway 1, stopping at scenic outlooks on the California coast. When we were first married, he\u2019d throw in a batch of slice-and-bake cookies to enjoy while we watched our favorite TV show<\/a>. Now, when our garden is in bloom, he\u2019ll fill our vases with colorful bouquets<\/a>. <\/p>\n

But the other day he surprised me\u2026<\/p>\n

It was a Saturday morning, and like all parents of small children, we were already up and starting breakfast by 7 a.m. As I brushed by him in our narrow kitchen, Max turned to me and said, \u201cReady to try the best coffee of your life?\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, I stopped in my tracks and started asking questions: \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d \u201cDid you find a new coffee shop?\u201d \u201cAre you taking me out somewhere?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll seeee,\u201d he replied. <\/p>\n

Max got out our Moka pot, and then (to my surprise), opened the fridge and took out two eggs. After starting the espresso, he cracked and divided the eggs, then beat the yolks with a spoonful of sugar until they turned thick and creamy. I watched as he spooned the pale-yellow froth into one of our china teacups \u2014\u00a0a wedding present \u2014 poured the espresso over it, and placed it in front of me. It was indeed the best coffee of my life. (Here\u2019s the method he used<\/a>, if you\u2019d like to try.)<\/p>\n

\"Rita<\/a><\/p>\n

For the rest of the day, I was giddy. Part of it was the caffeine, but mostly I just felt smitten and inspired. After all these years together, and now parenting three small kids, romancing each other often gets moved to the back burner. There are days when we treat each other more like co-workers than people who want to make out with each other for the rest of their lives. Watching Max prepare this special cup of coffee made me realize: Learning how to do something, specifically for your partner \u2014\u00a0like bake their favorite cake, or play their favorite song on the guitar \u2014 is such a simple way to invest in your relationship. <\/p>\n

So, the next time I sense that we\u2019re drifting into co-worker territory, I\u2019m going to try and learn to do something that will make Max smile and feel appreciated. Like cook barbacoa tacos, or memorize lines from his favorite SpongeBob episode. Because I want to keep this good thing we have going, for many, many more years.<\/p>\n

\"Max<\/a><\/p>\n

Max making my coffee so I can take pictures for this post \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n

Have you learned something new for your partner lately? Or has your partner romanced you in a way you weren\u2019t expecting? I\u2019d love to know.<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. A funny thing that happens in relationships<\/a> and 12 relationship tips from a wedding reporter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Photo by Anna Malgina\/Stocksy.)<\/p>\n

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2<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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