In my Keith Sweat voice…Make It Last Forever!
Making it last forever is not as easy as it looks. It requires work, but that “work” can be rewarding. And what better reward for that work than the marriage that keeps on giving…FOREVER?!
Keep YOUR Marital Flame Burning Bright
Remember that 1993 movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, in which he relives the same day every day? Sound familiar? Does your life mirror this movie in any way?
We all have a tendency to relive the same day every day or close enough to it. It may consist of some or all of the following…kids, activities, preparing meals, making meals, work, doctor’s appointments, sports, holidays and everything else that gets thrown into our daily lives. Despite these chaotic schedules, husbands and wives MUST make it a PRIORITY to keep the spark in their marriage burning bright.
Think back to that time when you got butterflies the first time you looked deeply into your spouse’s eyes. The first time that you said and heard him/her say, “I love you!” Just because you’re married doesn’t mean those feelings have to go away. Marriage is even more of the reason to enhance those feelings.
Follow these five tips and get started TODAY to rekindle your marital sizzle and spice things up…
1. Date Your Mate
Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can’t flirt with your spouse and still woo them. Tell them how much you love them or how attractive they look. Drop a pick-up line or two: “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?” Ha! Okay, it may sound corny, but your spouse will appreciate your efforts or, above all else, get a good laugh. The couple that laughs together stays TOGETHER (so says this study).
Never let the sparks die out. Take your spouse out for a date, and if possible, set up a date night schedule. This will allow you to have quality time together and reconnect after a hectic week. Having alone time will help you appreciate each other and unwind from everyday stress. If you can’t do date nights, then do date days. These have worked for us over the years, having a husband whose schedule was ever changing.
2. Spousal Surprises
It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant but surprise your spouse from time to time. It can be as simple as leaving a note on the fridge telling them how much they mean to you or as fancy as sending flowers to them at work. Is there a fun event coming to your area in the near future —get tickets and surprise your spouse!
Make an extra special meal for each other, ditch the comfy clothes and dress up for each other; the lists are endless but make it your own and insert the element of surprise into your relationship and everyday routine.
3. Prioritize the Priorities
Make time for each other. It’s very hard when you have children to get away, but remember that without your marriage, you would not have the foundation of your family. Keep in mind that your marriage is just as important as your children. You’re setting the example for your kids when it comes to good/bad relationships. So set a good example!
Make sure your spouse KNOWS (actions speak louder than words) that they are a priority in your life and not just another person in a schedule or scenario. They are important and life wouldn’t be the same without them—make sure that they are aware of that! Don’t assume!
4. Remain Affectionate
Kiss, hug and repeat! Let your spouse know how much they mean to you. Before you part ways each day, make it a ritual to give each other a hug and kiss. Sure this can get redundant, but mix it up. Get silly, and create new ways of hugging and places of kissing (get your mind out the gutter…better yet, NAH keep going since the goal is to sizzle and not fizzle…so SIZZLE away!). Next time you pass your spouse watching television, cooking a meal or focusing on something else, give them a kiss and remind them how much they mean to you.
5. Stay Spontaneous
It’s hard to raise a family and juggle the other aspects of everything. Trust me I know! Try to deviate away from the schedule occasionally. Instead of your routine dinner plan, have a picnic or go out to eat. Instead of staying in during the weekend, go out! Be adventurous and steer away from the norm. Adding spontaneity to your life will help to keep the spark alive.
Surprise your spouse and get a babysitter and do something fun TODAY…don’t delay serve up some SPOUSAL SIZZLE!
BMWK, tell us how long you’ve been married and how you keep the sizzle in your romance?
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