Check Your Marriage Thermostat
I am blessed that my wife, Joy, the “joy” of my life, supports me in my crazy athletic endeavors. Today, I am in Myrtle Beach with almost 3,400 of my “closest friends” to play in a week long golf tournament. I’ve been doing this for most of the last 15 years, and I’ve developed some great relationships with a number of the players from around the country.
Usually, a small group of us rent a condo together and share expenses. We also share meals, talk trash about each other’s golf games, and make random wagers on our golf skills, or lack thereof.
This year, I was the first to arrive from our group. After calling my wife to let her know that I had gotten here safely, I got the guys and myself checked in with the management company. Next on the list was getting checked in for the tournament, shopping for some supplies, and opening the condo. I carried in my golf clubs, grocery bags, and luggage and went to the sink to wash my hands.
We had no hot water.
Long rounds of tournament golf played in hot, muggy weather leads to a strong need for hot showers.
A frantic call to the management company determined that the water heater had been turned down to save electricity and money on utilities. While I fully support their economic and environmental goals, please turn up the thermostat!
While I’m looking forward to a week playing golf with the guys, I’m more looking forward to getting home to my bride. I miss her, and now I’m wondering about turning up the thermostat in our relationship.
Here are six things I’m going to do to keep the heat on in our marriage:
1. Stay in touch with daily emails.
Being aware of each other’s daily plans and intentions helps you be more involved, engaged, and in tune with each other.
2. Plan a dinner out at her favorite restaurant.
Fondue would not be my first choice of a dinner out, but Joy enjoys it very much. It helps create an intimate meal and provides opportunities for clear connections.
3. Check in via text message during the day.
Even sending a few while out on the course. By taking the time to text my bride while I’m doing something I enjoy, it lets her know that she is the most important thing to me.
4. Send her a few humorous romantic cards by snail mail.
Clicking “like” just doesn’t have the same impact as getting a card in the mail. The little effort of selecting a card and writing a small note goes a long way to help her feel special.
5. Register us to take a cooking class together.
We both enjoy cooking and I’m sure we’ll both be better cooks after the class. This is a way to grow closer while doing something we both love.
6. Restock her supply of Godiva Dark Chocolate Truffles.
Joy has a “never empty” box of these candies. Resupplying something that is her favorite helps to remind her know that I’m thinking of her.
Use some of these ideas and add a few of your own that will turn up the heat in your marriage!
