Marriage & Simply Being Together
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I am no expert on marriage. But, thankfully, I’ve spent the last 16 years married to Mr. Right-for-Me. It hasn’t been all fun and games. There have been rough times. We’ve been hacking a life together in the jungle.
But, whoever wrote those traditional marriage vows knew what he was saying: for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health. Indeed, it’s reassuring to know that someone’s got your back when times are tough — as well as when times are good.
Looking back over the years, I know that many of the hard times were the ones that strengthened our marriage. I know this is a gift. Not every marriage fares as well. I am mindful of that and very thankful.
And I continue to learn new things about my husband, each and every day.
Being Together
One important thing I’ve realized over time is that simply being together is vital to our marriage, to our friendship, to our sense of intimacy with one another. If we go too long without really talking and connecting with one another, there isn’t the sense of unity that we enjoy so much.
The days go by all too quickly and when I’m busy being chef, chauffeur, nanny, and housekeeper, it’s all too easy to let time with my main squeeze fall by the wayside. Date nights are great, but every day interactions can often count more than a night out on the town.
Here are some things that help me love my husband. They may — or may not — work for you. But, either way, I hope they’ll help you think about what does.
1. Start the day right.
I try to get up when my husband does. Not because he expects it; he most certainly does not. But, since I’m generally an early bird anyway, I try to stir from my cocoon in time to see him out the door. This helps us touch bases in the morning. Since I know he has a lot on his mind, heading into work, I try not to bombard him with too many nagging items. (I save those for emails. Ha!)
As he goes out into the big world each morning, I want us both to remember that we’re in this together and that I’m on his side.
2. Greet one another warmly.
When FishPapa comes home in the afternoon, I try to pause what I’m doing in order to welcome him home. If I were gone all day, I would enjoy the same thing in return.
He might go play with the kids or I might go back to whatever I was doing, but we’ve taken a few moments to reconnect.
3. Review the day.
A little “happy hour” snack or drink to share gives us both a chance to unwind and catch up on what’s been going on. It’s a wonderful transition from day to evening.
I’m finding that it’s also helpful if I start on whatever household chore I’ve been postponing all day. I have companionship while I work, making the task seem less of a chore, and he gets a chance to tell me what’s been going on or to catch up on what he’s missed while he was away.
4. Enjoy common — and not so common — pursuits.
I love sappy romances; hubs enjoys adventure. I was worried one day that our disparate tastes were really out there — until we watched the first installment of Sherlock. I was reminded of our common ground: mystery movies.
He doesn’t love Remington Steele like I do, but we’ve really enjoyed other mystery stories, including Wallander, Lord Peter, and the aforementioned Sherlock. Finding that common ground provides entertainment for us both.
And sometimes we just tolerate the other’s interests in order to be together.
If there’s baseball, football, hockey, golf, or NASCAR on TV, chances are good that hubs wants to watch it. While I could certainly live without all of the above, I’m learning to enjoy them with him. We chat during the game or race; I ask dumb questions or make snarky comments about the commercials, and we’re still together, even though we’re not doing my most favorite thing.
Likewise, hubs accompanies me to Target or watches that sappy movie with me.
5. Go to bed at the same time.
Now for obvious reasons, this is a good thing. (Just saying.)
But, I know that it’s also more companionable to turn in at the same time. We get another chance to reconnect, we discuss plans for the next day, we dream big dreams as the day ends.
These are NOT hard and fast “tricks to a happy marriage.” In no way would I prescribe a one-size-fits-all experience. But, these are ways that help me feel connected and in-tune with what’s going on with my husband. And maybe they might work for you, too.
How do you enrich your time spent with hubs?
In the weeks leading up to Father’s Day, I’m collaborating with a great group of bloggers to share ideas on how to “honor the man they call daddy.”
This week we’re sharing our different approaches to loving our husbands in how we spend time together.
Be sure to hop around and be inspired:
Your list sounds just like my life and what I aspire to do with my guy. One other thing I know we do is to pop in “our song”. Not regularly, just a few times a year, usually when one or both of us is grouchy. Almost before the first line, we are singing along and before the CD is over our spirits are lifted.
Thank you for reminding us of all of these small things we can do! I know I sometimes get caught up in what’s going on in life and it’s easy to forget. It’s nice to see a reminder every once in a while and it makes that lightbulb go off in your head, like, yeah I used to do that, why don’t I do that anymore??? It is so nice to reconnect!
“Date nights are great, but every day interactions can often count more than a night out on the town.”
Yes. This. We really strive to make our passing-in-the-night contact constantly uplifting and supportive. Which is good, because date nights are few and far between. If we relied only on dedicated time, we’d be hurting. Thanks.
Great tips!!
We are actually in one of those “difficult” times. I’m watching my husband walk through this, seeing his burden and how he carries it all–I am filled with great compassion, love and respect for him. I try to make his homecoming relaxing by picking up and cleaning around the house before he gets in, and having dinner smells greet him. I call him during the day and pack his lunch. When I think of how I might fare under his pressures, I know I would appreciate the same support, and it makes me want to try harder for him.
Thanks for this post.
Before we had our baby we used to cuddle and touch all the time, but for the last year our little guy gets most of that affection. So I make a point whenever I can to TOUCH my husband, and remind us both that there’s more than just our son connecting us!
Thanks for these great reminders! My husband and I have been married nine years, and love each other deeply, but like others here, I, too, feel like we’ve fallen into a rut, just not always making the effort to make our time together quality time. We have four children ages 5 to seven months, so by the time he gets home from work, I clean up the kitchen, and the kids get in bed, we’re both pretty wiped out! We struggle with going to bed at the same time as I often use the evenings to catch up on all the stuff I don’t get done during the day with the little ones up and around. I have considered many times getting up when he does and making him breakfast. I’ve been working on it just this week actually. Staying connected is so important! Something we’ve started (AGAIN) is doing a Bible study together once a week or so. It’s hard to stay motivated sometimes, but we’re trying!