The “ABD” Secret of Love
A Matchmaker's Guide to February's Love Fest.
Valentine's Day, the celebration of love, provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on our relationships and explore ways to enhance them. Whether currently dating, looking to date, or seeking to re-ignite an existing relationship, this checklist and guide, inspired by a Matchmaker's perspective, reveals the keys to cultivating lasting connections.
🌟 Love Yourself First:
💖 Make time for a self-care ritual that you have not done lately.
💖 Find three things you love about yourself and say them aloud every morning. (we recommend pairing them with an existing routine, like showering, making the bed, putting up make-up, drinking coffee, etc.)
💕 Open Your Heart to Diversity:
💖 If you are looking to join the dating scene – jot down three qualities you appreciate in people, regardless of their physical attributes, and start a conversation with someone you would not typically approach. (remember your matchmaker is always a call away for assistance with introductions or coaching)
💖 If you are in a relationship, purposefully try new rituals to connect; create a new routine before bed to spend 5 minutes expressing gratitude for each other or leave cute notes every morning.
💖 Add creativity to your love life and pick new activities for date nights. (Some ideas: painting, pottery, cooking, wine tasting, axe throwing, pickleball, or dance class).
🤝 Do an Alignment Check-In (Values, Interests, and Goals)
💖 Reserve time each week to talk about dreams and goals – make it about the what and worry about the how later.
💖 Explore a new hobby together and commit time to it.
💖 Share your three core values with your partner; even long-term relationships sometimes forget to revisit this.
💖 Money matters. If you are in a new relationship, ensure you discuss how each of you manages money. If in a committed relationship, dedicate one or two hours each month to discuss budgeting and expenses.
🗣️ Communication is Key:
💖 Set aside dedicated time for open, honest conversations with your partner; Express your feelings and thoughts openly, fostering a deeper connection.
💖 Discover your love language together using online resources— a fun and enlightening exercise that replaces assumptions with understanding, making us become better partners.
🚀 Take Responsibility - you are 50% of the relationship:
💖 Acknowledge and apologize for a past mistake – taking ownership is a strength.
💖 Identify one positive change you can make to enhance the relationship.
💖 Show gratitude to your partner for their contributions to the relationship.
💖 This month, consciously reflect on your contributions to any conflicts. It helps to ask yourself questions such as: How is what my partner is saying true? Why did this bother me?
Embark on this checklist journey with a sense of adventure and curiosity. Remember, love is not a destination but a delightful exploration. Enjoy the process, celebrate the small victories, and discover the magic in the everyday moments. Happy Valentine's Day from Matchmaking Nashville! 🌹
By Nadine Jimenez-Langagne
CEO and Founder of Matchmaking Nashville