We have certain things we do that make our relationship special. Our morning cuddle, our candlelight dinners, our afternoon aperitifs. Many of these have become traditions over the years and most have been adapted as our situation changes. But we still do them in some capacity and it keeps us grounded to who we were prior to my husband’s diagnosis.

Keeping the spark alive in a relationship is difficult in the face of progressing Parkinson’s. I see less of the man I married every day and my role of caregiver increases to overtake my role of loving partner. It’s not fair. I know he’s still in there, I see it in his eyes and in his smiles. But, I would be lying if I didn’t say that some of the challenges of helping with personal tasks can get in the way of having amorous thoughts.

Still we are very much in love and having these traditions give me a chance to set all the rest aside. Seeing him over a candlelight dinner or cuddling with him every morning brings back such good memories. In those moments, Parkinson’s doesn’t exist and that’s what keeps the passion in our relationship alive.