‘Try an elevated location with a great view’

Lean on me

This first date is all about trust and commitment. Wherever you decide to have it, make sure it’s private and quiet enough for you to have an honest conversation.

It’s a topic that makes people feel vulnerable, and you want to feel safe enough to share openly. WHERE TO GO One partner can coordinate this. You can decide who’ll be trusted to make the arrangements, or toss a coin.

You could even choose to surprise your partner, asking them to trust you. If you really want to take it to the next level, you could blindfold your partner on the walk or car ride to your chosen location.

Try an elevated location with a great view. It could be a tall building, a bridge or a hill with a comfy bench to sit on. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Ask each other what commitment means to you. Is it just sexual fidelity, or is it cherishing your partner unconditionally and loving every idiosyncrasy and insecurity? Ask your partner Can you describe a time when you didn’t feel you trusted me, and what could I have done to fix the situation? What do you need from me for you to trust me more?

Be adventurous

When was the last time you tried something new together? Or just laughed helplessly together?

If you can’t remember, you’re in need of a play infusion. Couples who play together stay together. Adventure doesn’t mean climbing mountains. It just means doing something new and getting out of your comfort zone, in a good way. WHERE TO GO This date should be all about newness and excitement. Be creative. Be spontaneous. Have the entire date in the bath or another body of water.

Try having your date at an unusual time for a date – say early morning, when you both should be at work. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Share adventure stories from the past. Imagine an adventure you could have together in a day – and start planning it!

Make a list of the adventures you want to have before you die. Ask your partner How did you like to play when you were a child? What’s the most fun you’ve had in the past few years, and how can I help recreate that fun again?

Time to talk about the cost of love

Research shows that of all the issues married couples fight about, arguments about finances are the single best predictor of divorce. Money buys pleasure, and it also buys security. Balancing the two can be hard for any couple.

What’s more, if one of you is working incredibly long hours, and is stressed by career demands, the marriage is likely to suffer. These things need to be discussed. WHERE TO GO This date should cost nothing or as little as possible.

If you decide go to a restaurant, make it one you love but where you feel financially comfortable ordering anything on the menu. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Remember, this topic isn’t about budgeting, spending or money woes. It’s about understanding what money means to each of you.

You need to commit to discussing money and work honestly.

Focus on all you have rather than what you don’t have – and don’t dwell on past money mistakes. Ask your partner How do you feel about work now? How do you imagine your work changing in the future? How can I help you feel secure when you’re worried about money?

Let’s agree about how we disagree

It may seem odd to have a conversation about conflict, but the best time to discuss how you’re going to manage disagreement isn’t in the middle of a heated argument. The important thing to know is that relationship conflict is normal and natural.

Another key takeaway from our research is that some conflicts aren’t resolvable – they’re what we call perpetual problems, and you have to learn to live with them. But that’s where the greatest opportunities for growth and intimacy lie. When you learn what lies beneath those problems, you uncover something at the core of your partner’s belief system or personality. WHERE TO GO The partner who didn’t plan the first date should plan this one.

Find a location that’s peaceful, or a place where you’ve had a great time together in the past. Hold hands while talking about something that’s difficult between you and take turns as both listener and speaker. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Pick the top three things you regularly argue about. It might be punctuality, household chores, money, sex, whatever. But don’t dwell on the issues themselves – discuss how you manage conflict about them when they arise. Ask your partner How was conflict handled in your family growing up? How can I best support you when you’re angry? How do you like to make up after a disagreement?

Ignite the passion

This date is all about discussing your sexlife, which means you need to be able to talk about sex.

Research shows that couples who can talk openly about sex have more sex, and the women in these relationships have more orgasms.

It doesn’t have to be a serious, uncomfortable or awkward chat. Approach the date with lightness and honesty. WHERE TO GO Have a candlelit dinner somewhere – perhaps at your favourite romantic restaurant or a public place where you can be very private, such as a hidden corner of a public garden.

If you’re going out, dress in a way that your partner finds sexy (you could even let the other person pick your outfit for this “sex” date).

If you’re dating at home, arrange to have the place to yourselves and have the date naked, in bed or in the living room. If you have a beautiful garden, have it there (but probably clothed). WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Remember the time you had the best sex together and describe it. Talk about what turns you both on using whatever language you feel comfortable with. And laugh! Ask your partner What’s your favourite way for me to let you know I want to have sex? What time of day or night do you most like to make love and why?

Live the dream

Dreams are important – your dreams, your partner’s dreams, and the dreams you have together.

Dreaming together, and supporting each other in pursuing individual dreams, is just as critical for your relationship as trust, commitment and sex. WHERE TO GO Find a place that really inspires you. Have your date at dawn or sunset where you can see the horizon, or anywhere with a beautiful view across fields, sea or even an exciting urban landscape. At home, you could have the conversation on a blanket under the stars in your garden. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Start by asking your partner to describe what dreams they have for the future.

Don’t contradict or belittle them or say it won’t ever happen. There’s no faster way to make your partner clam up than to start discussing practicalities. (The dream may be impractical but don’t say it!)

Remember, you can’t know the future or what’s possible. Ask your partner How would you feel if this big dream was fulfilled? How can I help you do it? Did you have any dreams for yourself when you were a child? Do you think your parents fulfilled their dreams?

How to grow old together

In every relationship, as in life, the only constant is change. The key is how each person in the relationship accommodates the growth of the other partner. WHERE TO GO For this date, go to a place that feels beautiful and sacred to you both. It can be indoors or outdoors – a walk in the woods, a visit to an art gallery, or a wander in the park. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Complete the questionnaire on the right then compare your answers.

It really is a family affair

We often have different ideas when it comes to parenting. And we all argue about in-laws. Some families are intensely argumentative and difficult, while others welcome us as though we’ve always been a part of them.

The key is not to let resentment build: try not to criticise your partner’s family or his parenting style. WHERE TO GO Find a location that reminds you of a happy time during your childhood, such as a family restaurant or park you used to visit with your parents.

If you have this date at home, make your favourite childhood dish. Be nostalgic. Have beans on toast, and jelly and custard for dessert, or perhaps use your mom’s recipe for spaghetti bolognese. WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Discuss the family member you consider closest to you – it could be a friend or a relative. Tell each other what it is you love about them.

Talk about the best characteristics your children share with you. Do they get their kindness from you, or their love of adventure, or their creativity? Ask your partner What do you want to do to deepen our relationship with our family or closest friends? What do you love about being a parent with me?