Every relationship and long-term partnership has its special moments -- from anniversaries to new homes to childbirth. These happy occasions are an opportunity for partners to celebrate their life together and use their milestones as a way to strengthen their connection. The following sections give some specific tips for using certain milestones as a way to enhance and empower your relationship.

Anniversaries:

An anniversary is a time to celebrate and renew your commitment to one another. In addition to the romantic dinner, gifts or other planned activities, set aside a few hours for just the two of you to communicate. Taking time during the week of your anniversary to talk openly and honestly about your future together shows a strong commitment to keeping the relationship solid.

Here are some possible topics for discussion:

1. Your Favorite Things: What are the things about your partner that you treasure the most? Take this time to thank your significant other for adding such value to your life.

2. Make It Even Better: Talk about one or two areas of your relationship or current lifestyle that you have been meaning to work on or that you feel could be improved. Discuss ways you both can make your relationship even stronger by focusing on these areas. Make a commitment to doing those things over the next year. Realize that even the best relationships can be improved and use your anniversary as a time to make resolutions.

3. Dream Together: Both of you should spend time talking about your personal dreams and goals for the future and then discuss how you can help each other make them a reality. Remember that a strong "we" is made of two strong individuals. Focus on growing both your relationship and your lives.

New Home:

Moving into a new residence is definitely a big change. Whether it be an apartment in another neighborhood or the first house you own, relocating to a new home is a great opportunity to empower and grow your relationship. Here are some tips for making sure relocation strengthens your partnership:

1. Plan Together: Even if one person is handling most of the arrangements for moving and settling into the new home, agree to do the major planning and decision-making together. Set regular "meetings" to discuss the status of your move and share opinions. One person carrying all the weight for a move and setting up shop in a new home can create resentment and stress during a time you should be celebrating a great transition.

2. Make It Yours: A new home can sometimes mean new furniture and accessories and, before you know it, you feel like you're in a foreign space. Make sure to dig through boxes and pull out personal mementos that are familiar to both of you. Take time to make the decor echo your connection and commitment to one another.

3. Acknowledge the Transition: A new home can often mean a new neighborhood, different jobs or major changes in lifestyle. Make sure you pay attention to how these changes affect your partner and take time to talk with them about the transition process. Being supportive and communicating openly can ensure that your move is truly a positive milestone in your lives.

New Baby:

Whether it's your first child or third one, a new addition to the household is a major transition. Celebrating this addition and growing your family together is so important, but don't forget to make time to continue to grow as a couple and make decisions about the household. Think about scheduling the following into your daily and weekly routines.

1. Parenting Meetings: In many households, each partner might handle different aspects of the parenting responsibilities. Regardless, you need to be making decisions together. Set aside time -- a few minutes in the morning or one night a week -- where the two of you can sit down and update each other on your thoughts and feelings about your child(ren), share observations and make decisions about raising your family.

2. Time for Yourselves: Once dirty diapers and daycare enter the picture, romance can often seem a thing of the past. Make an effort to not let this happen. Whether it's once a week or once a month, make a commitment to set aside time to spend together and rejuvinate your spirits and your connection to each other.