That means daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, taking a few minutes, even seconds, to put your spouse first on your priority list.
Daily:
Spend at least 10 minutes a day focused on one another without the distraction of your kids, the TV, the phone, etc.Related: Daily Dialogue | Things to Talk About | Is Work Hurting Your Marriage? | Solutions for a Time Starved Marriage
Kiss your spouse in the morning, before leaving the house, when you go to bed, and several other times during the day and evening.
Related: Create More Intimacy
Say I Love You.
Related: Great Ways to Say I Love You
Hug your spouse several times each day.
Related: Ways to Connect
Affirm something your spouse said or did and say something nice.
Related: The Importance of Compliments
Be kind to your spouse.
Related: Kindness in Your Marriage
Do something caring and romantic for your spouse.
Related: Simple Romantic Ideas
Don't criticize your spouse.
Related: Negativity in Marriage
Laugh together.
Related: Laughter in Your Marriage
Weekly:
Hide some love notes for your spouse.Related: Where to Leave Love Notes
Do a few things together, like working in the yard, taking a walk, watching a favorite movie, or planning and cooking dinner.
Related: How to Divide Household Chores | Having Fun Together
Encourage both yourself and your spouse to have some alone time.
Related: It is Okay to Want Some Time Alone
Monthly:
Plan and have a date night with one another.Related: Thirty-one Date Ideas | Dating Rules for Married Couples
Yearly:
Celebrate your anniversary Write a letter to each other recommitting yourselves to your marriage.Related: Anniversary Gift Ideas and Celebration Suggestions
Decide together how you will celebrate holidays.
Related: Holiday Planning
Make a big deal about your birthdays.
Related: Spousal Birthday Party Ideas
Generally:
Fight fair.Related: How to Fight Fair | Why Do You Fight?
Don't try to change your spouse.
Related: Change Your Own Bad Habits | Why Nagging Doesn't Work
Be willing to forgive.
Related: Forgiveness and Letting Go
Don't expect your spouse to be a mind reader and don't try to be a mind reader.
Related: How Well Do You Know Your Spouse?
Consider attending a marriage enrichment weekend or workshop.
Related: Marriage Courses and Workshops | What is a Marriage Encounter Weekend?
Accept that there will be some small issues that you two will never resolve and that it is normal in successful marriages.
Related: Keep Your Debates Healthy
