REAL Marriage

Go on a drive with your spouse and sing “99 bottles of (insert your favorite bottled beverage here).”  Yes, its goofy.  So what?  See how you can come up with an idea based on just about anything.  As soon as I saw it was date tip #99 that silly thought popped into my head.  You can do the same.

For those of you who cannot bear to sing that song (I’m one of them) then play checkers, chess, Othello, or some other strategy game where you have to be intentional about your playing to win.  As you play a game that requires you to be intentional have a discussion about other ways you can intentionally nuture your marriage.

A REAL date a week builds a REAL marriage.

Today is a great day to let your spouse know that he or she is your Valentine all year around, not just on February 14th.  Give your spouse a “You are my every day Valentine” love note today.  Make the note on your spouse’s favorite color card stock and decorate with things that your spouse likes.

REAL Love Notes are deposits in the love bank.

“The love we have in our youth is superficial compared to the love that an old man has for his old wife.”  Will Durant

“Confronted with any marital problem, the only question that leads to a constructive solution is, What can I do?”  Rudolf Dreikurs

Valentine’s Day is this coming Sunday so it is time for a romantic date with your spouse.  What does that look like?  You decide.  It might be an expensive restaurant or it might be pizza at home by candle light.  What is important is that the two of you do something together that you want to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

The “R” in REAL stands for “Romanctic” and romance is defined by you as a couple.  A romantic couple takes advantage of any opportunity to be romantic.  So, let’s be thankful for Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate our marriage in a romantic way.

Today, February 8, 2010, is the beginning of National Marriage Week.  It goes through Valentines Day.  It is a good idea to send a REAL Love Note each day this week.  For today, post a REAL Love Note in your status on Facebook letting everyone know that you are glad to be married to your spouse and mention one thing you appreciate about your spouse.

For those of you who do not Facebook, use Valentine colors to make a REAL Love Note, and write one thing you appreciate about your spouse, and then make sure your spouse gets that note today.

REAL Love Notes are deposits in the love bank.

Today, February 4, 2010 is “Liberace Day.”  For this week’s date go out for live piano music in the genre of your choice.  Picking your spouse’s favorite genre is likely to win you extra points.

A REAL date a week builds a REAL marriage.

Start sending Valentine love notes now.  Use red, pink, or white paper and contrast with red, pink, or white ink.  If you start this coming Friday you can do a “Top 10 Reasons I Love You” series of REAL Love Notes with #10 on Friday, February 5, 2010 and ending with #1 on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010.

REAL Love Notes are deposits in the love bank.