To keep romance alive and nurture the intimacy in your marriage, you'll want to know a number of ways to express your feelings to your spouse. There are certainly times when you'll want to put a significant amount of time and energy into a project that shows your love for your spouse in a major way, such as planning a surprise birthday dinner party that includes family and friends or a new deck that you spend several weekends building.
But it's also important for you to know a number of smaller gestures you can make to convey loving feelings on a frequent basis. Little expressions of love and appreciation add up over time and can help ensure that your relationship will keep its special sparkle and glow.
Here are fifteen ways to say "I love you" that you can easily implement even during a busy work week:
1. Blow your spouse a kiss as you walk through the room. Smile, and let your eyes twinkle mischievously. You might remain silent, or you could say something such as, "Catch!" or "This is for you!"
2. Surprise your spouse by kissing the back of his (or her) neck as he sits in a low-backed chair that gives you easy access to his neck, such as a dining room chair or a computer chair. (For an extra reaction, you might lick his neck one or two strokes with your tongue after you kiss it)
3. Give her (or him) a brief neck and shoulder massage.
4. Leave a sweet message on his (or her) voice mail.
5. Send a short but sweet email. (Don't send your spouse a sexually explicit email at work. Save those for his or her personal email account.)
6. Write a one sentence note that describes a specific trait or quality that you love about your spouse, such as "I love your beautiful blue eyes that remind me of the sea." Or you could write, "I love your fabulous shoulder muscles that make you look so strong and sexy." Put this note in your spouse's purse, lunch, or brief case, or on his (or her) bed pillow.
7. Give your spouse a lingering, wet kiss, accompanied by a full body hug. (Many relationship gurus advocate that couples do this at least once every day.)
8. Hug your spouse and scratch her back at the same time. If you're lucky, your spouse will also scratch your back while you're scratching hers.
9. Give your spouse a compliment. Be specific, such as "You look great in that new pullover-I love how that color looks on you!"
10. Tell your spouse once specific thing you appreciate that he (or she) does. For example, you might say, "I really appreciate how hard you work to bring in extra income," or "You're a great dad-always so patient with the kids!"
11. When you're at the grocery store, pick up something special for your spouse-a favorite candy bar, a choice piece of fruit, a small plant, one long-stemmed rose, a special cheese, a festive balloon, etc. When you get home, say "I bought something special just for you because you're so special." Or wait until later and leave the item with an 'I love you" note for her (or him) to find.
12. Look for some little act or chore you can do for your spouse to make his (or her) life easier. For example, without asking, Lee will often empty the wastebasket in my office for me when he sees that it's full. Or I might offer to make a phone call for him to save him time on a busy day. These types of gestures say "I love you and want to show you that I care."
13. The next time that you have to buy a birthday card for someone, also buy five or six cards that your spouse would like. They might be romantic cards, thinking-of-you cards, or funny cards. Once every week or two, drop one in the mail to your spouse to arrive at the office or home, or leave a card in the car on the driver's seat or some other place for him (or her) to find.
14. When you get "take-home" food containers in a restaurant, later secretly take your spouse's container out of the refrigerator and decorate it. You might draw two hearts linked together with your names on the hearts and write "I love you" on her (or his) box.
15. Look for poems or song lyrics that you can give your spouse to communicate your loving feelings. Check out http://www.romantic-lyrics.com/ to find lyrics to beautiful love songs, love quotes, and romantic poems. You'll also find a great selection of love song lyrics at http://www.theromantic.com/lovesongs/main.htm .Just print out some of your favorites (use special paper to make it more special) and keep them back, ready to pull out and give your spouse with a note that says, "This expresses just how I feel about you."
Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" This is available at http://www.keepyourmarriage.com, where you can also sign up for the free weekly Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine to get ideas and support for improving your marriage.
same day cleaning service Glencoe ..You've gotten engaged and have set the wedding date and... Read More
Wedding receptions are expensive affairs and can set you back... Read More
If there are wedding bells in your future, then surely... Read More
India is a diverse, multi-cultural country with people of various... Read More
Imagine it's Halloween evening and you've just gone to the... Read More
From the book Spider's Big CatchAs June wraps its arms... Read More
The selection process of your wedding flowers will usually begin... Read More
Ritual symbolism abounds in everything we do; this is particularly... Read More
While you may be headed to Las Vegas for a... Read More
Exchanging anniversary gifts is a long standing tradition. Many couples... Read More
Not so many years ago, the proposition of a wedding... Read More
Following is a list of question that, I believe, can... Read More
The beginning of the journey of two souls begins with... Read More
The reception alone will bust your wedding budget if you're... Read More
This is something that we've started to send to all... Read More
Is it to be a summer wedding or winter wedding?... Read More
One of the most beautiful of the bride's adornments at... Read More
Details, details, details. Paying attention to details, that's what makes... Read More
Being apologetic doesn't come easily for me. Unfortunately, being inconsiderate... Read More
My parents gave me this advice about marriage. They have... Read More
No one wants to pay more than they have to... Read More
Believe it or not, there is etiquette on how to... Read More
Dear Friends of Marriage,There is a lot of talk on... Read More
So you're having a wedding anniversary. Congratulations! It's quite a... Read More
Celebrating under the attentive care of Bahamas honeymoon resorts, there... Read More
tidy up service Buffalo Grove ..The bridesmaid gift is essential to the planning of a... Read More
I recall how Mrs. Ingridman taught me invaluable lessons on... Read More
Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be... Read More
Here comes the bride! Walking through the alley confidence holding... Read More
Did you know that an emotional affair can be just... Read More
So your not one of those fabulous actresses or models... Read More
If you've always dreamed of flying in a helicopter, Las... Read More
Your wedding day is the day when all the details... Read More
He's popped the question and you're dying to tell someone.... Read More
Thanking your wedding party with special gifts is a favored... Read More
Chocolate fountains, once a rarity at weddings, are becoming more... Read More
Planning a wedding of any size or budget can have... Read More
Games for a wedding shower are the best ways to... Read More
Traditionally, a wedding band was worn on the ring finger... Read More
Just as destination weddings are fast growing in popularity, so... Read More
Just like weddings, receptions are often theme based as well.... Read More
Well you may not become a billionaire or even a... Read More
In the dim past of the last century, good time... Read More
Mens diamond rings are becoming more and more popular with... Read More
So you have been invited to a wedding. Whether you... Read More
Fashion Trends and Popular Styles and ColorsThe Wedding Dress ?... Read More
The enchanting Belize honeymoon resorts captivate every visitor through the... Read More
The 1999 Julia Roberts movie 'Runaway Bride' is about a... Read More
WHAT HAS WORKED FOR USBrief Reflections On Enjoying 36 Years... Read More
An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |