It seemed effortless when the two of you got together, didn’t it? Flowers and little surprises, then you got married. How do you keep courting each other after a few years of marriage? The answer is simple-keep doing what you did when you first got together.
If one of you works and the other can manage it, make time to steal away during the lunch hour for a picnic in the park.
Remember small anniversaries, not just your wedding anniversary, but the day you bought your first home, or the day one of you got the job you’d always dreamed of. If you think about it you can probably come up with at least five anniversaries that you forgot to keep celebrating. Women will always love to get flowers, and here’s a secret about men-they like to get surprise flowers as well. Have them sent to his place of business, or pick some up on your way home at night.
Often once we have been married for a few years, we tend to settle into the routine of running the household. Our conversations dim from world affairs to reminding each other of chores that need doing. That can put undo stress on a relationship, leaving one or both of you wondering “is this all there is?” Marriage need not be that way. Remember what you both have in common and make the effort to keep doing that. Do you both like hiking or camping? Spend the weekend at your favorite retreat-without the kids. At first you may feel a little bad about leaving the kids, but a happy home and partnership makes for happy kids in the long run, and letting them see how much you love each other teaches them that a relationship can last a lifetime, something most children do not see now a days. Or call on each other for an actual date; recreate one of your favorites if it helps!
Guys, call for her! Pick her up at the house and take her to dinner and a movie or concert. Since it is the 21st century, you can turn the tables and the ladies can initiate the date! If you approach your marriage as if you are always still dating, you always will be, and there is nothing better than the excitement of a first date!
Ladies, did you spend hours trying to figure out what to wear before a date? Find something you haven’t worn for a while, or occasionally buy a new outfit for an upcoming date. Guys, the clean shirt and new slacks you wore on the first date can be as charming in another color, so you can go shopping, too. Women are really surprised when their husbands show up for the date in a new outfit!
Have fun and get creative, marriage is only as fun as you make it, and if you spend time communicating what you’d like to do, you can continue the courtship which brought you together for a lifetime.