"I understand this situation all too well, especially when I was working away from home and raising a family and my dear husband was working nights and going to school full-time. Those were tough days. Some of the things we began to do were unusual but they worked for us.  For one thing, though we often spoke on the phone it isn't the same thing.  We made sure that our routes to work/home crossed each morning and evening and we had a pullover stop that we'd pull into and speak for a few minutes face to face. We also made it a point to hug and kiss during that pull-over. I am sure some who saw us thought we were having an affair, but we really looked forward to that time each workday to reconnect, even though it was only for five minutes.

We also began to date regularly.  Sometimes with our hectic schedule that meant picking up a pizza to share mid-way between work and home, or packing up sandwiches and fruit and sharing it. And occasionally I even stayed at work later in order to meet him when he got to work and we shared our picnic supper that way. Though I am now a stay at home mom, my husband's job is such that he distances himself emotionally during his work week. (he's a paramedic and faces trauma and drama all day long.  He doesn't want it at home!) We've found that dating is a great way to keep us mindful of our romantic relationship.

 But most important of all is taking time to have intimacy. No matter how tired you are, that intimate relationship is truly what keeps you connected to your spouse. You can catch up on sleep later, by napping or sleeping in on the weekend, but regular intimacy is key. And funnily enough, sleep is often more restful and napping less needed. The power of the intimate relationship is so strong that doctors have done studies on its effects on the immune system, and recovery from chronic illnesses and cancer!" ~ Terri in Georgia