Let's Talk

Let's Talk

# 12- Love that Lasts

In our first fifteen years of marriage we had collected orange bedspreads, lamps, rugs, and even an orange chair.  While on a two day road trip to visit his family, I worked up the courage and told my husband I didn’t like the color orange, his favorite color.

Fortunately the trip provided plenty of time for talking and figuring out how we were going to solve this problem. We couldn’t get rid of all the orange in our home right away, so we slowly changed our color scheme to colors we both liked, adding a little dark blue and forest green.

Couples need daily, weekly and annual times to talk without the children. When our kids were little we chatted while they slept.  As the boys got older, we had coffee and tea in our bedroom after dinner to connect and stay in touch with the major events of our day.

You fell in love dating, doing fun activities, talking and getting to know all about this man with whom you would spend the rest of your life. Continue dating your mate; it is the best way we and other couples have found to keep the spark alive. Each week enjoy some activity you both like and plan for some special intimate time.

No money or time for dates you say, or I’m too tired? Have you chosen to create a marriage that will last? Then you will need to date your man again. Get creative, make the changes and stop the excuses. It’s worth it!  

Our dates each week often didn’t require a babysitter and have been close to home, free or very inexpensive. Here are some of our favorites.

·         Enjoy coke and candy bars in the back yard

·         Get donuts and coffee

·         Eat a  home cooked dinner in a unique location

·         Go for a drive

·         Eat lunch out or at home alone while the kids are at school

·         Study a book together on marriage or communication

·         Take a walk in the woods or around the neighborhood 

 We took our first overnight date when our sons were two and four. I arranged for the baby sitter and after my husband got home from work we rushed out for dinner-alone. A night together in a local motel without disturbances from the children, making dinner, toys to pick up or washing clothes and dishes-it felt wonderful.  More in love and rejuvenated after less than 24 hours on our own, these getaways became a priority in our annual budget.

 Honest communication each day, weekly dates and an annual overnight get away are the key ingredients for great communication between a husband and wife.