Loving My Husband in Practical Ways

Saturday we celebrated 97 months of togetherness. :) We had feta cheese omelets for breakfast, finished up an assignment for school, then made our way outside to tackle some yard work all the way 'til sunset. We got all cleaned up and cozy and cuddled on the couch with homemade pizza, salad, awesome home brew, and a movie. I love that man of mine so very much!!! 


On this here Valentines Day, I'd like to share some practical gestures we make to show our love and appreciation for one another. 

Be together - if he's doing school work in the living room, I'll sit nearby (reading, crocheting, and make myself available to help him). Or if we're in separate rooms ... I try to make it a point to go "visit" him every half hour or so. Just a quick kiss or hug, peek my head in the door and ask, "How's things going?" "I love you!" "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Remember the firsts - a few times a year I'll go through and read some of our first e-mails that we wrote each other and look at the first pictures. Great refresher!

Spontaneous lunch dates - I usually pack a lunch for Tony to take to work. But sometimes I'll meet him at his workplace and we'll go to lunch together. He's the one that usually prompts these spontaneous dates. I try to be flexible with my schedule and let my "plans" go sometimes in order to do this. But he is totally worth it!! 

No silent treatment - over a year ago, I heard a lady talking about giving our husbands the silent treatment. I was totally guilty of this! She said it is treating our husband as if he were dead - you want nothing to do with him - he is dead to us at that moment. That really convicted me and ever since, if I feel a silent treatment coming on, I'm quickly reminded of this statement and battle against it. My husband is not dead in those moments. Communication is what we need in those moments. Quick I'm Sorry's, quick forgiveness, and lots of grace! 

Reminds me of a book titled, "When Sinners Say, I Do" by Dave Harvey. Great reminder of how much grace we both truly need to extend to one another. 

Never, never go to sleep angry.

Listen and read things that encourage loveliness.

Occasionaly I'll write a simple, "I love you on a napkin in his lunchbox" and even more rare, on the bathroom mirror with lipstick. Just Because!

Make it a point to exercise - be pretty - dress up for no reason - wear heels - no special occasion is needed for any of those!

When he gets out of work for the day he always calls me to say he's on his way home. I'll typically take those 20 minutes to do a quick refresher to the house, freshen up my attire or make-up. And maybe light a good smelling candle near the front door. 

Sleep - we both need it, and try to be intentional about a regular bed time.

Pick up his "favorite" things at the grocery store.

Remind him that I'm on his team!! 

The Peasant Princess series by Mark Driscoll is awesome!!! These sermons are always on my iPod touch and I re-listen to them frequently. 

Sharing the same interests - learning to love what he loves. 

Taking interest in his day. Letting him get home and just unwind for a little bit before I tell him all about my day. 

Listening to thought-provoking sermons and discussing them. 

Okay... I'll stop there. :) 

P. S. Okay, one more thing. High thread count sheets are a must for the marriage bed!! :)