This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to reassess the state of your union. A happy marriage helps set the foundation for a happy, secure family. When we remain intentional about showing our love for one another and not taking each other for granted, the threads that bind a marriage grow thicker and richer enabling us to weather the crises and heartache life tosses our way.
Your kids may pull groans and “ughs” when they see you kiss and hug, but your displays of affection toward one another models what a healthy marriage looks like.
If life has interrupted the attention you are paying to your marriage–and it can happen in any marriage–check out these 26 simple tips to rekindle that lovin’ feeling with your mate. Want to read more about why affection in marriage matters? Check out my article “Show Your Love! The Importance of Affection in Marriage” in this month’s Connecticut Parent magazine.
1. Hold hands
2. Hug and kiss
3. Look each other in the eyes
4. Get involved in a hobby together
5. Listen when your spouse talks about his or her interests
6. Flirt with each other
7. Laugh together
8. Talk to each other about your day
9. Pen a love note and leave it on your spouse’s pillow
10. Send a flirty text message
11. Email a link to a sweet love song to your mate
12. Give your spouse a back rub
13. Offer a sincere compliment
14. Schedule a late dinner, just the two of you, after your kids have gone to bed
15. Create exclusive traditions for the pair of you to share
16. Help each other around the house and with the kids
17. Call each other during the day just to check in
18. Court each other
19. Take a walk together
20. Plan a lunch date
21. Tell your kids what you love about your spouse
22. Make your partner’s favorite meal or dessert…just because
23. Cook dinner together
24. Stand up for your spouse when he or she is feeling vulnerable
25. Give your spouse the opportunity to sleep in while you take your kids to breakfast
26. Say “I love you” every day
What are your tips for a happy marriage?
I laughed at the dinner after the kids went to bed. Ours are teen so now they sometimes tuck us in. So late dinners are now for four. We have switched to going out for breakfast-cheaper- they are either still in bed or happy to lounge. Great tips for all of us here.
Love that idea, Sue! We are starting to age out of dinner on our own too. 🙂