Appreciating Your Spouse

I was thinking today about this red plate we got from some friends of ours for a wedding gift years ago. The plate says "It's Your Special Day." My husband and I used to take out this plate every once in a while and declare the day all about him or all about me. It's been a while since we've done that and I'm feeling inspired to start up the tradition again.

There are so many ways to express appreciation. By doing so, we can literally erase the distance and magically improve communication. The day to day busy-ness of our lives often challenges our energy for putting this kind of attention on each other. We forget to do the little things. Heck, sometimes we forget to do the big things!

So here are some ideas.

1. Foot rubs, back rubs, neck rubs. You get it-- rubs on any body part is likely to be appreciated!

2. Taking on a task your partner normally does; doing it without asking or announcing. Just doing it.

3. Taking a night or an afternoon to have your partner share their dreams, their "bucket list," and plan how you might accomplish a few of them.

4. Write a little note and put it with their lunch or in their purse. Write an expression of love or thank them for something small or big.

5. Announce it's their "special day" where they get to do anything they want (within reason!). Make it special for them by arranging things (like spa days or sporting events) or simply by just removing obstacles to enjoyment and peace.

6. Bring home a little gift (or a big gift). Something they've been talking about for a while but think you weren't paying attention to.

7. Call his or her mother (or another family member), send a note or do something nice for that person. Tell that family member thank you for being a part of making your partner such a great person.

8. Tell each other DAILY something you appreciate like appreciation for cooking, doing the dishes, putting the kids to bed. These daily things get overlooked because they're just "supposed" to be done and nobody needs to be thanked, right? But, if you don't thank each other, who will? (you usually have to wait until your kid is in their 20's to get a real thank you!) We all love to be appreciated, even for the little things we have to do anyway.

Do some or all of these things on a regular basis and you'll be amazed at how well you get along, communicate and just feel close!

Share Your Ideas! How do YOU appreciate your spouse??

Tell readers some ways you show your spouse how much you appreciate him or her!

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