Happily ever after is not a destination. It’s a journey, a work in progress. It requires consistent effort on the part of both spouses to keep the marriage fulfilling. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to put your marriage first, at least some of the time. Yes, that means putting your marriage ahead of the demands of work, home, and even your children at times.
Don’t misunderstand. I already sense people saying, “But the children must come first!” I agree with this as an overall premise, but our marriages deserve and they require top billing, at least occasionally. This is not to say that we should ignore or neglect our children, it just means that we have to take time out from our routines to make time for our marriages. Our spouses need to be taken care of and pampered sometimes too, and we need the same thing from them once in a while.
Most children can manage just fine without Mom and Dad for one day or one evening. They can participate in an activity, a play date, or spend the day or the night with Grandma or another relative. In fact, most children tend to enjoy an occasional change of scenery as much as parents do.
Believe it or not, setting aside some couple time is good for your children in other ways too. A happy marriage sets the stage for a happy family as a whole. When children see their parents as committed to the marriage and to each other and sense the love between man and wife, they look for that type of relationship in their own futures. The opposite is also true.
Another important aspect of carving some couple time from busy schedules is the chance to show your spouse how important he or she is to you. Make him or her feel like the most special person in the world, your best friend, your partner, your lover, during your time together. Don’t talk about work, home, kids, bills, or any of life’s other demands during your special time. Try to schedule separate time for these discussions.
Plan a date and do something the two of you have always wanted to do, or just go for a walk. It’s more about taking time for each other and for your marriage than it is about what you do during that time.
Sadly enough, many couples quickly become overwhelmed by the daily grind and lose sight of what brought them together. Making sure you squeeze in some couple time will help you remember and renew those feelings and keep your love alive. Remember, happily ever after is possible, if you’re willing to work at it.