Don't Lose that Lovin' Feelin'
During the holidays its often a little easier to show love for those around us.
What can we do to make sure we don't lose those lovin' feelings throughout the year?
Below are a few ideas for how to keep the love alive in your most treasured relationships: marriage, family, and friendships.
In Marriage
The most successful, healthy marriages make sure to enrich all dimensions of their relationship—emotional and physical.
For emotional closeness:
For emotional closeness:
- Plan an activity that just includes you and your partner. When the two of you make plans to do a fun activity together, you both have something to look forward to.
- Complete these sentences during your time together:
- I am more in love with you today than ever because…
- I am grateful for you and for our relationship because…
- You still melt my heart when you…
- Increase your non-sexual touching and expression of affectionate words.
- Hold hands, give back rubs, take a walk, or cuddle on the sofa. You'll be amazed at how this increases the possibilities for more intimacy!
IN FAMILY:
- Kiss your child's palm and roll their fingers tightly to "hold" the kiss for later.
- Use chalk to write your child's name, followed by the words, "I love you in a big way!" Write your message on the driveway or sidewalk!
- Learn to say, "I love you" in several different languages and surprise your child with those words of affection. You might even make it a theme. Have tacos and start your meal with, "Té amo mucho." Serve spaghetti and express your love with, "Ti amo!"
- Write your child's accomplishments with show polish on the windows of your car. Brag to the world about the wonderful kid who's in the car with you.
- Do something silly and surprising this week. Launch a water gun fight or wear a wig and clown nose to breakfast.
- Initiate a tickle session in the morning or offer to wrestle after the homework is done.
- Blow bubbles with your preschooler. As you pop each bubble, make up a funny nickname that will enhance your child's image of himself.
- Text your teen and surprise them with the words, "I'm so glad I get to be your Mom/Dad. I couldn't have asked for a more special son/daughter."
IN FRIENDSHIPS:
The closest friendships include times of vulnerability as well as fun. Make specific plans to increase your vulnerability by sharing these conversations:
- I would love for us to get together and have some fun. Something like…
- It would mean a lot to me if we could…
- Look for ways to serve your friends—how could you meet their need for support? How could you pitch in to help?
- How might you share words of appreciation with your friends? Be creative—make a giant apple out of craft materials and present it to a teacher. Write a thank you note on a wooden stir-stick for a friend who's in the construction business.
- Which of your friends might need encouragement? Who's feeling weary of overwhelmed? Encourage your friend with a text or phone call—maybe even a hand written note.
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