When the newness of dating fades and the blissfulness of being newlyweds subsides, routine and comfort set in. Though it is great to be comfortable with your spouse and have a routine that keeps things in order, it is often during these times that your love can feel strained. Suddenly, you don’t feel appreciated anymore or you feel taken for granted and you start to distance yourselves from the very people you fell in love with.
How do you get that good old feeling back?
Staying in love and falling in love over and over again requires work. It essentially means learning your spouse. Learning what they like and don’t like, what actions they appreciate, and what makes them feel appreciated.
As you learn to identify these things, what you’ll find, is that in most cases, it doesn’t require elaborate 2-week vacations to a white sandy beach or a large diamond ring. In fact, in many cases, it is the small acts of kindness you show your spouse on a regular basis, that keeps love alive and shows them, “I appreciate you”.
Below, are a few small things you can do that send a big message to your spouse.
Simple Ways to Show You Care
- Send Them a Gift – Want to put a smile on your partner’s face? Send them a small token of appreciation. Instead of delivering it in person, have it delivered to the house or to their place of business. A nice floral arrangement, fruit basket, or even luxury gift boxes by Bouquet Bar with a personalized arrangement can brighten up their day.
- Massages – Who says you have to take your partner to an expensive resort or spa to get a good rub-down? Your touch has so much more meaning than any masseuse. After they’ve come home from work and had a nice hot shower, help your partner apply lotion to their body giving them a sensual massage they can appreciate.
- Handwritten Messages – Texting and chatting are so overrated these days. If you want to show your spouse you were thinking of them, instead of sending a digital message or sharing a social media meme, write them a message. Whether it be a complete love letter, words of encouragement on a post-it note, or a poem, it means so much more that you took the time to write it down. Hide it in their pocket, hang it on the fridge, or place it in their lunch bag for a sweet surprise later on.
- Pitch in with Chores – From household chores to “honey-do lists”, there’s always something to be done. If you want to show your spouse you appreciate them, when you’re done with your list, pitch in and help out with theirs. Husbands, there’s certainly nothing wrong with washing dishes to help out your overworked wife. Wives, why not take the cars and have them detailed or cut the grass for a change?
- A Warm Welcome – Body language says a lot to your partner. When you see them pulling up to the driveway, do you make sure the lights are on and the door is unlocked? Are you waiting patiently to greet them with a hug and a kiss? A warm welcome goes a long way and says to your spouse, “I’m happy you’re here.”
- Organize Date Nights – Date nights are crucial to a marriage but often difficult to pencil in. Surprise your partner with a special date night by finding a sitter, picking the destination, and ironing out all the details so that they can just relax and enjoy your company.
You appreciate your partner – which is why you married them. However, when two people have been together for awhile, the niceties start to fade. In order to show your spouse that you love and care for them each and every day, you must learn what ways they best receive love and gratitude, and then express it as best you can. The above-mentioned ideas are all small tokens of appreciation that will go a long way in the hearts of those you love.
