Intellectual Intimacy - This doesn't require a deep or an enormous amount of thought, it isn't based upon a deep intellectual conversation. This just means that you share things about yourself with your partner. After a long day's work or a trying day, I can remember on more than one occasion speeding home on the interstate to get to "The Curve" (my husband) to tell him about my day. Or, I couldn't wait to vent about someone who made me angry in the law office I work in. Or, just to hear how his day was. There are some things I wouldn't want to tell anybody else in the world but him. Sharing my world.

Social Intimacy - This goes hand and hand with intellectual intimacy, this has to do with spending time around the events and activities of everyday life. Some of these events we experience together; others happen while we're apart and are shared through open communication. Much of life involves doing. When we do things together, we not only develop a sense of teamwork, we also enhance our sense of intimacy.

Spiritual Intimacy - Often the least talked about of all the foundations of intimacy, yet this has a significant impact on the relationship. It doesn't require an agreement of belief on every detail; instead, we seek to tell each other what's going on in our inner self. It's discussing our thoughts about spiritual realities; most of our spiritual beliefs are closely tied to family traditions, rules and rituals, belief in a higher power, and the expectations for life after death. The purpose isn't agreement, but understanding.

Emotional Intimacy - It's about how we feel; a deep inner emotional connection or closeness that you feel. Emotional feelings are our spontaneous responses to what we encounter through the five senses, as well as trust, respect and security. I see the fire truck racing down the road and I feel troubled. You touch my hand and I feel loved. When we share emotions, we build emotional intimacy.

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