A story was once told of a newly married couple who used to sit on the same couch and ate from the same plate. It was a fun 'honeymoon period' for them but as time passed, the couple had gained some weight and the couch started becoming smaller.
They started feeling squeezed especially when they laid down to watch a movie. They decided to get another couch so that each of them would have their own. With each having their couch it meant they could no longer use the same plate for dinner. Soon they realized after they stopped sharing a couch and a plate their level of closeness went down.
Sharing simple things with your partner has a great influence on the level of closeness. As a matter of fact it, provides an environment for you to talk more. The proximity motivates you to engage. You talk more about critical issues. The more you connect with each other the better you are able to sort out issues thus keeping your relationship healthier.
Secondly, proximity to each other means we are less distracted. In this day and age of whatsapp, emails on our phones and social media, it is easy to get distracted. Walk into any restaurant today and see how much couples seated across each other struggle to keep their fingers off their phones. If you are sited next to each other it is easier to overcome this. If you are cooking together there is less chance of being distracted since you are engaged anyway. This means that you will focus more on each other when you are together and thus enhance your closeness.
The greatest benefit of doing simple things together is probably the role it plays in breaking the ice and making it easier to discuss and agree on critical issues like finances, in laws, investment and family plans. Connecting with your partner moves your relationship to a level of friendship and partnership making it easier for you to make these key decisions. If you normally don’t talk a lot you will find it hard to discuss and listen to each other’s views on these issues.
There are many things you can do together as a couple. Make cooking fun by doing it together. As a husband you might not do much of the cooking but keeping her company is enough. How about going for an evening walk together. Simple things cost you nothing, yet their benefits to your relationship are priceless.