Risk is, of course, always present, even at the extreme of an asteroid hitting the earth. In more common (often perceived) risks, couples will often take a moment to express and/or celebrate their connection together.
Risk in everyday life
- Before getting into a car
- Before an airplane takes off (more than 1 in a million, but a nice time together
) - Before a bike ride on a road where there are cars
- Before a natural disaster like a tornado or hurricane
- Before a medical procedure
- When one gets a serious illness, like the flu
- Before engaging in a risky sport, like skiing
Variations
- Hold hands for a minute while looking in one another’s eyes
- Briefly squeezing one another’s hands
- Taking a big breath together while looking in one another’s eyes
- Saying I love you while looking in one another’s eyes
- A long hug, of at least a minute
- See “Whispering to the heart” couple ritual
Principal Purposes Served
- Create stable touchstones
- Emotional money in the bank
- Foster nurturing, affectionate, loving contact