Are you looking for an intimate way to show your love for your partner? Of course, sex is considered one of the greatest forms of intimacy, but with the new surge of people who have sex just to have sex, it’s not really a thing of closeness for most people anymore. If you want to show your lady that she means more to you than just something to play with, consider some of these things. (They’ll work best if you do them with someone you truly care about – but make sure you don’t neglect her sexual needs, too!)

1. Hold her hand in public.

With this generation’s pull towards the “side chicks” and the “just talking” stages of the relationships, having the courage to actually walk hand in hand, in public, is proof that you are willing to let other people see you with your girl. It shouldn’t be as big of a deal as it is, but it has gotten there lately. Make sure you let your lady know how you feel about her, even when you’re around other people.

2. Introduce her to your family.

If your lady hasn’t met your family yet, it might be nice to introduce her. (This is, of course, assuming you are out of the closet – you probably don’t want to drag your girlfriend along for the awkwardness of coming out.) Letting her meet your family proves that she’s more than just a hookup to you.

3. Cuddle with her.

Did you know that the same bonding hormone released when you have an orgasm is responsible for a sense of closeness when you cuddle with someone? Yep, your brain actually reacts in a very similar way to the two activities, and one shows that you like being close to your partner even when her clothes are on. (But have you tried cuddling naked? It’s definitely the best.)

4. Sit in silence.

If you can sit with someone for hours, not speaking, and not feeling uncomfortable – you’ll know that you have a deep connection. Maybe the two of you like sitting together and reading books. Maybe you’d rather drawing together, or writing side by side. If you don’t feel the need to fill the silence with awkward words, you two can bond just by being close to one another.

5. Share secrets.

It’s a lot easier to give someone your naked body than it is to give them a piece of your soul. Don’t believe me? Think of every person you’ve ever had sex with, and how many of them truly know you inside out. My guess is that one list will be longer than the other. Of course, this will vary from person to person, but if you tell your partner things you don’t tell anyone else, you’ll be closer.

6. Have inside jokes.

One of the things that’s often overlooked in a healthy relationship is the ability to be each other’s best friend. We get wrapped up in the romance and the sex and we forget to be fun, too. Most of the time, we start off as friends – so why wouldn’t we want to keep nurturing that part of the relationship? If you’re able to maintain inside jokes with each other, you’ll only grow closer over time.

7. Cook and clean together.

If you and your partner aren’t evenly dividing the cooking and cleaning, one of you may begin to resent it after awhile. There’s no rule that says it has to be an even 50-50 everywhere, but you should be distributing the tasks in a way that makes everyone happy. One of the best ways to do this while increasing your bond together is if you work together to get the chores done – you’re spending time together, helping each other out, and making time to be together.

8. Nap together.

Let me say first that I am a very bad napper. I get overwhelmed with the idea of staying in bed when there are things that I could be doing that are far more productive. But the truth is, when you feel completely relaxed with someone and able to fall asleep in each other’s arms, in the middle of the day, it’ll be far more refreshing than you could imagine. (Just don’t forget to set an alarm if you have something to do – cozy naps can take over your whole day if you let them!)

9. Surprise each other when you can.

It doesn’t have to be anything big. (I’m often guilty of making my surprises too big, actually.) Just some small way to note that you were thinking of her. Maybe you picked her up her favorite donut, or she started the coffee for you before she left for work. These little things, when they’re something your partner enjoys, work wonders in terms of refueling the bond you share.

10. Binge-watch your favorite show together.

This is another one that I’ll say I’m a little too good at. The idea of sitting in bed, or on the couch, and just watching TV together until you can’t keep your eyes open anymore… It seems like it’s not a productive use of your day, but if it’s something you enjoy together, it can be magical. Just make sure you take food and bathroom breaks when you need them!

11. Trust each other’s opinions.

If you can ask your partner for advice and feel confident that she is giving you honesty, you can reach all-new levels of closeness. You don’t have to worry about whether she’s just trying to get something out of you, because you’ll know that it’s coming from where it really counts. You should be able to trust your partner to tell you the truth, if you’re also trusting her with your body – right?

12. Tell her she’s beautiful.

Of course, not all women like being told they’re beautiful – but gorgeous, adorable, handsome, attractive… All can be wonderful to hear if they’re said genuinely. Be sure to avoid sexual notes in your compliments, because these can be taken as just looking for sex. You want your partner to know that you see her as so much more than that. Make sure you compliment her mind, too!

13. Write her a love letter.

My partner and I actually have a book of love letters written back and forth between us. It’s super romantic, and it can help if you’re fighting – just having something to look back on to remind you what you love about them so much. The writing doesn’t have to be perfect; it should simply show her how much she means to you.

14. Take a road trip.

I absolutely love riding around with my partner. With gas prices as they are, it can be a little difficult to afford it too much – but consider setting a destination and saving up for it. This can be fun, as you can play car games to bond a little, and then when you reach your destination you can enjoy a fun date somewhere the two of you have never been together. Then, more car games on the way back!