On that first date, she made your palms sweat. Over the years, you may have gotten out of the habit of looking at your time together as a special occasion. This is particularly true for men experiencing ED. They are often reluctant to put themselves into romantic situations for fear of where it may - or may not - lead.

But for your relationship to remain healthy, it is critical to maintain your sense of intimacy with one another. Making special time together a priority in your life can go a long way toward rekindling the romance and keeping the passion alive - whether inside or outside of the bedroom.

Make Time for Two
Couples who have been together for many years often find they spend their socializing time with other couples - dinner groups, card groups, friends from work or church. While that's certainly an enjoyable part of any social calendar, don't forget to book special time strictly for each other as well.

Consider making at least one night a month "date night," where you plan a special event for just the two of you. Even if you're together all day, sparks can fly (and palms can start sweating again) with just a little effort at creative dating.

Make it official
Just the simple act of calling it a date makes even the simplest outing a little more romantic and special. Go ahead and mark your date night as a regular event on the calendar. Better still, the day before, give your honey a formal invitation with all the details of your upcoming adventure. Print up a little note and leave it on the pillow...next to the toothbrushes... on top of the coffee maker...wherever it will be sure to surprise and delight.

Push your boundaries
Think of something out of the ordinary that you wouldn't normally try. If you always see a movie together, consider something a little different - like a concert or a play. Take in an exhibit at a local museum or browse some art galleries. It's always more fun if you go out for a glass of wine or a cup of coffee afterwards and talk about what you've seen. For a sunny afternoon date, make up a picnic lunch and take it to a park that you've never been to - maybe even rent a canoe or paddleboat for an hour.

The point is, a good date doesn't have to be expensive or fancy - it just has to be the two of you doing something you enjoy together. Maybe even something you've forgotten you enjoy. "My husband and I used to love to try different ethnic foods when we were younger," says Brenda M. of New Jersey. "We realized lately that we had fallen into a rut with our restaurant choices, so we went through the phone book together one night and circled all the places that we wanted to try next year. We're working our way through the list!"

Learn to dance
Richard W. from Minneapolis, who has been happily married for more than 40 years, always gives one piece of advice to new bridegrooms: "Learn to dance." He says, "It's so much easier and more fun if you can get up and dance with your wife at a wedding or other event, instead of just having her wish that you would." Even if you've been sitting it out for years, it's never too late to learn. Consider surprising her with dance lessons together: Date night, learning adventure and a little bit of exercise all rolled into one! Even if you just roll back the rug in your living room or take a slow spin around the kitchen floor, dancing can deliver some of life's most romantic moments at any age.

Take turns being the cruise director
Frequently the same person always makes the social plans and arrangements. If you've gotten in the habit of relying on your spouse to decide where you'll eat or what movie you'll see, try a turnabout and see what happens. You'll probably make big points if you're the one who occasionally takes it upon yourself to set the evening's agenda - especially if it's something the other person would have never thought of.

The bottom line: Keep your dating life lively and keep the romance alive. It's good for your heart, your mind, your body and your soul.