In the early stages of a relationship, both partners usually go out of their way to show love, care and attention to each other. Every thoughtful gesture and every plan to spend time together feels intentional and exciting.

You notice the little things, such as how they laugh, what makes them happy, their quirks and all that makes them unique. You may even go the extra mile to make them feel special. It’s a period full of effort and conscious action, because both partners want to impress and build a foundation for something meaningful.

But for some couples, this phase doesn’t last forever. Once the comfort and familiarity set in, for many, effort can fade. Often many people find themselves wondering, “Where did all of that love go?”

The transition from the “honeymoon phase” to long-term connection can create frustration or even possibly the end of the relationship. During the honeymoon phase, love feels effortless since both the partners are actively showing attention and there is a lot of excitement.

It’s necessary to know how to make your partner feel loved. Love is something people experience through actions and emotional connection. While everyone has their own way of giving and receiving love, in general, feeling loved comes from really knowing your partner sees you and makes conscious as well as consistent efforts toward the relationship.

The emotional experiences you have with a romantic partner strongly influence relationship satisfaction. A 2023 study examined eight ways people actively manage their partner’s emotions. By studying over 270 participants, researchers found that while several approaches can help, there were few that stood out as the strongest predictors of relationship satisfaction.

Based on the findings from the 2023 study, here are three ways to show love to your partner.

1. Show Genuine Appreciation

The most powerful way to make your partner feel loved is by valuing them. Researchers found that valuing your partner is the strongest predictor of relationship satisfaction.

It’s easy to stop noticing the things your partner does for you, whether they are new gestures or habits they’ve been consistently maintaining. For that matter, even routine actions, like making your coffee or helping out without being asked are still efforts that deserve acknowledgment, which you may start taking for granted.

By consciously noticing and expressing gratitude for the efforts your partner puts in, no matter how little it may seem, you reinforce a positive cycle for both you and your partner.

A recent study examined how gratitude affects relationship satisfaction in romantic couples. Researchers focused on dyadic coping, looking at the ways partners support each other and manage stress together. They found that when couples actively supported each other during times of stress, whether through listening, encouragement or sharing the load, it naturally led to feelings of gratitude.

The feeling of gratitude was the key link between coping together and feeling satisfied in the relationship. To put it simply, it’s not just the act of managing stress that deepens the bond, but the sense of thankfulness that arises from knowing your partner is there for you.

That gratitude then strengthens emotional closeness on both sides. This explains why couples who express and feel gratitude report higher levels of relationship satisfaction.

When you express appreciation to your partner, it can make them feel seen and even more emotionally connected to you. When they experience recognition for their efforts, it reinforces their sense of importance in the relationship and encourages them to continue contributing positively.

At the same time, gratitude also benefits you, because when you notice their positive actions, it increases your own feelings of happiness and closeness. In many ways, showing genuine appreciation to your partner is the bridge that turns ordinary gestures into lasting feelings of love.

2. Keep The Humor Alive

Humor is one of the strongest predictors of relationship satisfaction, second only to valuing your partner, according to the 2023 study. Humor is more than just cracking jokes. The idea is to create shared moments of joy and lightness.

Much research has shown the power of humor in expanding emotional connection. One such daily-diary study examined college couples in Singapore and studied how humor functions in established relationships.

Researchers found that on days when partners used or noticed humor more often, they reported higher relationship quality. This effect carried over into the next day as well. Along with creating momentary feelings of joy, humor also helps boost ongoing satisfaction in the relationship.

These findings highlight the importance of humor and the power it has to serve as more than just a way to spark attraction in the early stages of romance. It is an effective tool for maintaining closeness and keeping the connection fresh even in long-term relationships.

Instead of saving humor for the “fun” occasions or the early sparks of romance, think of it as a daily practice that will not only strengthen your relationship but also enrich your everyday life.

A shared laugh in a stressful moment or a silly inside joke when life feels heavy can be a subtle but still significant reminder to you both that you’re on the same team. But it’s just as important to use humor gently. Be mindful to never use it in a way that belittles, dismisses or puts your partner down.

When you let humor be a natural part of your everyday moments together, even if it is over a small mishap or a playful comment during a busy day, you’re showing your partner that you enjoy and value your time together, in turn making them feel truly loved. Thoughtful humor reinforces the feeling that your relationship is a source of joy and support.

3. Listen To Understand And Not Just To Respond

The 2023 study also found that receptive listening, meaning truly paying attention and responding to your partner’s emotions, was one of the top predictors of relationship satisfaction, alongside valuing and humor.

Receptive listening goes beyond simply hearing words. It’s about empathizing, validating feelings and showing genuine care for your partner’s emotional experience. Research published in Emotion shows that expressing your emotions is most effective when your partner listens and responds supportively.

Conducting a lab study with romantic couples, researchers studied participants who shared their feelings during a stressful task. They found that these participants experienced less stress and rumination when their partner responded with understanding and care. This study emphasizes responding in a way that validates and supports your partner’s emotional experience.

Practicing receptive listening simply means being fully present and intentionally showing your partner that you understand and care about their emotions.

This could look like you putting away distractions, maintaining eye contact and nodding to assure your presence to them while they speak. Supportive gestures, like a reassuring touch or sitting close while they talk, help further convey care.

In small everyday moments, noticing stress in their tone or excitement in their stories offers opportunities to respond thoughtfully. When you consistently listen in this way, you help your partner feel seen and loved, eventually strengthening emotional closeness.

Remember that these aren’t quick fixes or checkboxes you can tick to instantly improve your relationship. Enhancing connection takes time and genuine effort. Your goal should not be to do these things out of obligation. When your actions come from a place of authenticity and attentiveness, you naturally create a relationship where both partners feel loved, and this makes for a relationship that has the potential to grow stronger over time.

Do you want to understand how satisfied you currently feel in your relationship? Take this science-backed test to find out: Relationship Satisfaction Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes, here.