Little Things You Can Do to Keep your Marriage Happy and Your Love Alive

Here are just a few ideas you and your partner can do to help keep your love alive!!!



1. US TIME- sit down Sunday night with your calendar and SCHEDULE time that is just for you....a walk together, a date night out with a babysitter, a movie after the kids go to sleep, or just 15 minutes with the TV off your your focus on each other. Mark it on the calendar with a heart, take turns planning it, and make sure you don't fill the time with something else.



2. Snuggle- every once in awhile, every day or sometime each week, sit together when you are watching TV. Hold hands, touch feet. Spoon while you lay in bed, give back rubs or feet rubs, kiss! Let your kids see you snuggle too!



3. Notes- notes in his lunch box or on the seat of his car or in the pocket of his coat. Love notes, miss you notes, or thinking of you!



4. Tell him what you need. During one of your US times, TALK about what you need to feel special. Men do NOT know on their own. Tell him you need a love note every once in awhile or a backrub at the end of a tough day, or a simple thankyou. TELL HIM AND BE HONEST!!!!



5. Quality Times each day- Spouse comes first! Even if it's 5 minutes while the kids are engaged on their own, ask about his day-LISTEN! Don't just unload about yours. Just letting him go first will make him feel great, and allow him just a few minutes to then regroup and focus on you and the family again.



6. Connect FIRST THING EACH DAY- have coffee together, snuggle while you are still in bed in the morning, talk while you brush your teeth or make breakfast on the run. Don't let either of you leave the house without feeling connected and loved each morning.



6. The way to his heart is through his.... it might be his stomach! if so, honor that! Even if it's food that's bad for him- cook it as a special treat every once in awhile. if fitness or bike riding or golf or something else is the way to his heart, honor him by allowing him time to do the things he loves. If he sees the respect you are giving him, he will honor you back as well.



7. Books on love and love challenges...stroll through the LOVE section at your bookstore. They have great interactive books on questions to ask each others, challenges to participate in, even LOVE DARES!~~



8. Kiss for a minute! DOn't just peck as you pass by- KISS- really kiss! For ONE FULL MINUTE! make it deep, make it meaningful and just do it!

9. DO IT!!!! Seriously! Schedule time, either in your own mind or seriously on the calendar to be sure you make intimacy important. Studies show that couples who comitt to their intimate lives have happier marriages than those who do not.

10. Connect throughout the day. A short call just to check in and see how each other is doing is a great way to stay connected.

11. Share interests. If sports is not your favorite thing but it is his, make an effort to watch with him or go to a game or ask questions about his favorite team. If he loves movies, do the same. Tell him what your interests are and ask him to participate as well.

12. Set goals for your realtionship TOGETHER....a date night once a month, him making dinner once a week, sex, whatever.

13. Time together away from the kids. Showing them that you like to be together, without them also shows that you and your spouse are a team, you respect each other, and you enjoy each other's company.

14. Talk about things other than the kids and their lives- share communication and conversation.

15. Pray together

16. At church, hold hands. it's a very intimate experience to simply hold on to those you love.

17. Make chores fun by doing them together...dishes are best when you have someone to talk to and share the work. Rake those leaves with the one you love. Take turns mowing the lawn.

HAVE FUN WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE!!!!