ing back to an earlier stage of dating they get something they
were missing and are now able to make their marriage work.
When married couples separate, they are
moving back to an earlier stage of dating.At other times couples agree to live separately but not to
date others. This is like going back to stage two, uncertainty.
They live on their own without looking for others to date and
consider if they want to get back together. They occasionally
go out and explore how it feels to be together without being
so dependent on each other. Eventually they may decide to
move on to the next stage and get back together, or they may
split up.
Other couples may decide to separate and date each other
again as if they are in stage three or stage four. When this is
the case it is particularly difficult for a woman to connect with
her loving and romantic feelings if she doesn’t have the oppor-
tunity to experience greater emotional intimacy. Similarly, a
man needs to experience intimacy on the physical level of the
relationship in order to experience his loving and romantic
feelings.
To ignite romantic feelings a woman
needs emotional intimacy while a man
needs physical intimacy.Certainly a woman should open up sexually only to the de-
gree to which she is comfortable. However, accommodating
a man’s needs to is very helpful in making sure that he has a
chance to open his heart again. A man should not expect a
woman to be as responsive as she once was, and should be
grateful that she is willing to accommodate his needs.
WHEN THE CLOCK KEEPS TICKING AND HE’S NOT WEARING A