It is not that you are so much interested in the work, but your mates life. Even making a special, personalized greeting card would be appreciated and show your mate that you care enough to take the time needed to make something by hand. Make this a special time by packing a special lunch or snacks.
You may not always like the changes that happen, but do not throw away a perfectly good relationship just because the trail starts to wind.
If this sounds like your relationship, first, the two of you need to sit down and be honest that things have changed. Photo Album As a wonderful keepsake, create a photo album for your mate. What sounds better, Chinese or Pizza? They made a decision of choosing to love their mate rather than relying on the warm and fuzzy feelings, which everyone knows will fade. Make this a special time by packing a special lunch or snacks. Find something that you can both be excited about and then attach some type of reward to the motivation.
If you try this and then drill them, to see what they did, whom they were with, and where they went, then the exercise has failed.