“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV
Now that you have the ring, have set the date for the wedding, have begun the planning process, picked out the honeymoon location, and said YES to the dress; let’s add one more thing back to the list… Keeping the LOVE ALIVE.
Love is one word that sets off so many emotions in us depending on who says it, when it’s said, or how it’s portrayed. When it comes to relationships, in particular, love as an ACTION, seems to be the most important. There was a whole book written about Love Languages because truly knowing how to love and how someone can love you sets the tone of the relationship and how it will progress.
Here are the top four ways to keep the LOVE ALIVE during the engagement, after the marriage, and throughout the union.
1. Pray TOGETHER – Prayer is the most important thing we can do by ourselves but also the most important thing any couple can do together. If God is the foundation of your relationship and union then you will always come out on top, regardless of the ups and downs that may arise. Choose a specific time together, ideally in person, to talk about what each other may be going through, both positive and negative, and pray together and for each other. The bond that you both creative with one another and God will bless your relationship and marriage on multiple levels. It will make keeping the LOVE ALIVE that much easier.
2. Continue to create MEMORIES – Plan those “just because” moments, to always keep each other on your toes. These moments aren’t about the money but about the quality time you spend together. Our time is one of the things in life that we can never get back so, actually making time for each other will speak volumes. Never lose sight of how and why you both fell in love in the first place. You both have started to create great memories that have brought you this far in the relationship, keep them going.
Have a candle lit dinner for two in your home, if neither of you want to cook, order out and present the meal on your “fine china”. Enjoy an afternoon or late night stroll in the park or somewhere that is special to you both. Take ideas from conversations you’ve had in the past, create a couple’s bucket list and make sure to check something off at least twice a month. Be creative, live in the moment, and let your love for each other shine through.
3. COMPLIMENT each other’s “flaws” – We all have something we don’t like about ourselves but sometimes we don’t realize what we may not like is the very thing our future spouse loves about us and vice versa. So compliment each other, every chance you get, tell them and show them why you love them.
4. Always COMMUNICATE – Communication is always key, especially when love is involved. The worst thing is to have someone assume anything and the best way to nip that in the bud is to communicate. If you don’t like something, if you are nervous about going somewhere, if you love when he or she does something in particular and they may not have done it in a while, tell them. Deliver anything you say with love and good intentions and it will be received as such. This is also a reason why tip number 1 is important so you both are always on one accord.
5. ENCOURAGE, UPLIFT, & SUPPORT each other – No matter what is going on in your individual lives with work, parents, friends, etc., always come together as a couple to support, encourage, and uplift one other any chance you get.
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There’s something special about looking into someone’s eyes and seeing the love they have for you. Some times love doesn’t need to be spoken but can simply be seen. No matter what you decide to do and how often you decide to do it, always make sure you are SHOWING your love just as much as you say it. Don’t let anything stand in the way of your love for each other.
~ Chanelle A. Watson
For more tips or suggestions on how to keep the love alive or to help continue creating memories go to www.chanelleawatson.com.