Most of us have heard of the honeymoon phase—the one that generally happens toward the beginning of a relationship when everything seems to be sunshine and rainbows. This time period lasts an average of about 6 months to 2 years before the butterflies of those early days start to fade.
With that in mind, you may be asking yourself, “How in the world have Glen and Joya Baker kept their relationship fun and exciting for over 40 years?” We’re here to share some tips that will help you keep things fresh and spontaneous for a marriage that lasts forever!
Keep doing the little things.
After a while, you may stop complimenting your spouse or expressing your feelings because you just assume they already know how you feel. It seems so simple, but it’s important that you don’t stop doing the things it took to “woo” each other in the first place just because you’ve been together for so long. Here are a few little things that you may not do as often anymore, but you definitely should:
- Buy them a little gift for no reason (food is always a good idea!).
- Say “I love you” whenever you can.
- Put your screens away and spend intentional time together.
- Surprise them with a clean house.
- Tell them you appreciate them.
Affection doesn’t always have to be shown in big, overwhelming ways. Sometimes, it’s the small things that matter the most to keep your bond strong.
Make date nights fun.
Dinner and a movie is always nice, but it’s also fun to spice up your date nights every now and then by trying something new! This article has some cheap and unique date ideas that both you and your spouse will love!
And while a date night for two is always a good idea, did you know that a double date could be even more effective when it comes to reigniting the passion in your own relationship? Meeting up with another couple and heading out for a night on the town could be exactly what you and your spouse need to keep your marriage exciting! Take a look at this article for unique double date ideas to spark some inspiration.
Be best friends.
One study found that the wellbeing effects of marriage are about twice as large for those whose spouse is also their best friend. So yes, having a spouse who doubles as your best friend is extremely important! And trust us, it’s a whole lot of fun to spend time around someone whose company you genuinely enjoy.
Building a marriage that lasts over 40 years takes work, sacrifice, and an undying commitment to one another, but it’s all worth it when you know you’ve found the person whom you’re meant to be with forever.
Are you finding that your relationships are bringing you more anxiety than they should? Check out our blog post here for “Three Tips to Help Cope with Relationship Anxiety”.
