36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1
By: Kristen Welch
I’ve been married for 6,408 days, and I’ve learned a few things in that time. A good marriage doesn’t just happen. It requires consistent hard work, forgiveness, and the ability to be quiet. And when in doubt, remember that sex always helps! 36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1 36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1
Just like any fire, the intensity of married love is prone to die down. It never hurts to stoke the embers and stir things up a bit. Journalist and author Mignon McLaughlin once said, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” I completely agree. But I’m also thankful for those flailing moments in-between the falling.
Try these 36 ways to make your marriage solid
- Pray together regularly. There’s something deeply spiritual about marriage. Oneness and intimacy are God’s design, His norm. One of the best ways to achieve this is by praying together. 36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1
- Hide love notes in secret places. My husband did this once. I woke up and saw a note tucked in my cosmetics bag. I found another one in a drawer. All day long, it was like a scavenger hunt, and it made me feel loved. 36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1
- Go to bed at the same time. This one has been a challenge for us with him being a night owl, but we’ve found our rhythm and have discovered we’re more prone to pillow talk and intimacy when we make this effort. 36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1
- Write your husband’s name in lipstick on the bathroom mirror just because. If anything, you’ll enjoy the look on his face. 36 Ways to Make Your Marriage Solid part1
- Listen to music together. My husband loves music. He turns it on as soon as he gets home from work, which sets an awesome tone in our house. Lately when we travel, Terrell and I share ear buds and listen to some of our favorite audio books. We laugh at the same funny stories and have started many conversations because of it.
- Read the Bible together in addition to individually. This is always a good idea.
- Praise your spouse to other people. Once I caught my husband saying some really amazing things about me to one of his friends. I can’t think of anything else that could have blessed me more. You’ve probably heard the advice not to say anything negative to others about your mate, but take it a step further and get caught praising him or her!
- Porn-proof your home. I cannot emphasize this enough. Put safeguards on your phones and computers and unsubscribe to magazines that aren’t wholesome. Actively fight against porn, and don’t underestimate that pornographers are actively pursuing you.
- Look to your husband to make the big decisions: Without sounding like the 1950s, there’s something to leaning on your husband to lead the family in big decisions like taking a new job or moving. As his wife, you can certainly be a part of the decision, but be encouraged to let your husband take the lead if you reach an impasse.
- Let your wife make the small decisions. We’ve found that when Terrell lets me take care of the smaller household matters (curtain colors, furniture arrangement), we disagree less. It all comes down to trust.
- Go on regular date nights. This is non-negotiable! Time together to talk and connect is crucial. Make it a priority. If money is an obstacle, start a baby-sitting co-op with friends and take turns.
- Spend time apart occasionally.
