Don’t Take It For Granted

Relationships

by Lamar Tyler | on December 31st, 2009 | 5 comments

oldercouple

by Tara Pringle Jefferson

After you’ve been married for a while, it’s easy for things that used to be extraordinary to become ho-hum. The same gestures that had your heart skip a beat now elicit nothing more than a sideways glance.

It’s important that you keep the appreciation flowing. Take time to encourage your partner. Express your gratitude. Show them how much the little things still mean to you. It all goes a long way in never taking your partner for granted. I’ve been trying to work on this lately. The stress of, well, everyday life has been getting to us and the love that once seemed to take precedence over everything else gets lost in the shuffle of doctor’s appointments, rush-hour traffic, burnt dinner and late nights working on side projects. It is precisely when I feel that nothing else will fit on my plate that I need to take the time to make my husband feel like he is even more important to me. Because without him, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish half the things I do in my daily life.

I vow to never take for granted the fact that he:

Lets me flip through the channels during commercial breaks, and even when he knows the game is back on, he doesn’t rush me back to the channel he was watching.

Always gives me a big smile and says, “This looks delicious, honey,” every night before we eat dinner.

Keeps the kids laughing and playing while I get work done.

Pitches in with his fair share of the housework.

Makes several of my favorite dishes on request, even though he hates cooking.

BMWK family, what are some things you vow not to take for granted with your spouse?

Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

http://harriet-canshesaythat.blogspot.com Harriet

- He prays for me when I’m having my own HD technicolor bad dreams. ;0)
- He is the coach of our morning devotional, and he’s very attentive during our evening devotional
- How he shares his coveted chocolate chip cookies with me, even when I know he doesn’t want to
- The way he makes me laugh
- His consistency of change when he knows he needs to. It takes ME forever, but when he needs to make an emotional change, it happens almost instantaneously

I could go on and on…
.-= Harriet´s last blog ..In Transition =-.
Colette

-committed to our union at 21 (when most people his age were ‘sowing their oats’)
-shared night feedings with both kids
-makes sure he washes my car before I go out for a day of shopping, visiting etc.
-washes his own clothes to ease my load
-has kept the same core values throughout our marriage
-thanks me for any meal I serve
-stopped going out to clubs
-is always so fresh and so clean! after all these years ( :
-didn’t get mat at me when i ran out of gas on the freeway and he had to get it started for me at 11:45pm on a Sunday in the snow! (oops)
-his character, his thoughtfulness, his strength

Yep, nowadays more than before, we talk about what we mean to each other, how we are thankful.
Regina

This article was like fresh air to me. I knew there was a reason why I joined this site. There are times when I feel as if I’m the only one married out here. I know it sounds crazy but I always wondered if i became a selfish wife during my 10 years of marriage. I know marriage takes work but most importantly, it is the communication that keeps it together. All of the books in the world about marriage cannot prepare you for the hands-on portion of it.

I vow not to take for granted the fact that he will always be there physically for me. As an Army soldier, he has been fortunate to not have been called to Iraq to fight. I am in the Army wives club but I cannot relate to the other spouses who hold everything down while their soldier goes to fight. I am thankful that he is here and I need to show my appreciation. Lord only knows when that wheel is going to spin and he gets called to go fight.

Thanks!
rick dick

It’s 10 o’clock on New Years Eve and my wife put our son to bed then jumped into bed and watched The Hangover while I was in the family room. She is now passed out sleep with the DVD player showing a blue screen. I didn’t ask for this.
http://twitter.com/lisamhayes lisamhayes

I think taking each other for granted is always the first step down the road to serious marriage issues and divorce. I recently wrote an article about How to Affair-Proof your Relationship.

http://escapefromrelationshiphell.com/affair-proof-your-relationship-with-relationship-insurance.php

In that article I discuss the role of appreciation as insurance against marital problems of all types.

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.

Don’t Take It For Granted

About the author

Facebook Fan Page

You Saved Me – DVD

Happily Ever After – DVD

Men Ain’t Boys – DVD

BMWK Classic Posts

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

BMWK Partners