Cute Little Things

There are so many little ways to be affectionate and romantic on a daily basis. And if you can be cute at the same time -- go for it!

The heart shape is a classic symbol of love. Even a grocery list will seem friendly when it's written on something like this. These are sticky on the back, so you can leave friendly comments just about anywhere.

If all hearts all the time is just too much, mixing it up with flowers and speech balloons adds an extra element of surprise.

Making heart-shaped pancakes and eggs doesn't take any extra time, and is a great way to start the morning. The kids will love these. I tried a pan with heart-shaped depressions, but it was impossible to flip the pancakes. This is easier because you can just lift the forms up.

I haven't yet bought any duct tape roses for my husband. But I think this is a hilarious idea, and perfect for the manly do-it-yourselfer in your life.

About

Words of Affirmation

You love your spouse, and you show it in many ways, but you rarely put your feelings into words. Talking about emotions doesn't come naturally to you. Maybe you are more comfortable talking about work, your hobbies, politics, or the weather. Or maybe you feel really good sharing a companionable silence, performing a task together without the need to chat about it, or sitting comfortably next to your partner while you read a book or watch TV.

But the person you married doesn't share your point of view. He or she wants you to talk about your feelings, especially your feelings about the relationship, and feels neglected when that doesn't happen. Perhaps you've been accused of being an uncaring person, despite all the ways you show your love, because your spouse wants you to say it. And just saying "I love you" at appropriate times doesn't seem to be enough. He or she wants more, and you don't have a clue what else you can say.

Your Love is Lifting Me Higher

Yeah!

Jackie Wilson's energy and excitement say it all.

Talk to Me, Baby

Individuals often have very different ways of expressing love. Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages defines five different ways people express and receive love: words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, physical touch, and gifts. According to Chapman's theory, if we aren't using our spouse's preferred language, he or she will not feel truly and deeply loved. As a result, sincere people who have the best of intentions can find their relationships undermined by miscommunication, frustration and unhappiness.

Marriage is Saying We Are On the Same Team

by guest blogger Marie McKinney-Oates

I wish I could give everyone transcripts from arguments with my husband. Not because we're communication ninjas, but because you'd see how often we use what I'm talking about. And how often we repeat certain phrases. Like, "You suck" or "Really? You really want to try and tell me that this dish is clean. Really?"

Just kidding.

Actually, the phrase that gets tossed around most is, "I don't feel like we're on the same team right now."

Our Top Three

After six months of blogging, a look at the statistics reveals which posts have captured the most reader attention.

1. Jealousy is Not Romantic
   This article has had more than twice as many viewers as the second place entry. Clearly, this is a theme that resonates with a lot of people. Jealousy is a deadly poison to relationships. We all need to know how to avoid it and what to do when it happens.
    
2. Showering Together? Really?
   I thought that getting together in the shower was a bad idea, but others disagreed. Is it awkward and dangerous, or good, clean fun?
    
3. Marriage Advice: The Bottom Line
   The experts may disagree on the details, but most of them agree on what is most important. Here's a brief outline.

Runner-Up: Do You Look Good Naked?

Body image influences self esteem and plays an important role in our romantic relationships.

Just Overlook It

by guest blogger Rev. Rich

If you think about it, there’s something about everyone you know that bugs you. It might be a bad habit they have, it might be the way they do a certain thing, it might even be an attitude that you think they have towards you. Regardless of what it is, you put up with it for that relationship.

Re-read that last sentence. Now, why is it that we are so apt to overlook things that our friends and co-workers do, in order to maintain our relationship with them, but we have trouble doing the same thing with our wife? It would seem to me that love would make it easier to overlook something that doesn’t agree with us; but in most cases, we find more things that bother us in our mates, than we do in our friends. Why is that?

When Your Spouse Blindsides You

by guest blogger Patty Newbold

It happens at least once to every married person. Life seems fine and then you discover your husband put in for retirement without telling you or bought a $6,000 lawn mower for your quarter acre yard. Your wife spent $3,000 on a new wardrobe to look for a job, or she redecorated the living room in black and purple while you were on a business trip. You thought she was using birth control and now she's pregnant and delighted. He gets a wax job on parts you think should stay hairy.

You have been blindsided. You did not see it coming, and there is not much you can do about it now. What now?