For Your Spouse

1. Remember often, why you married him instead of why you shouldn’t have. Remind yourself of the good feelings you had before it got hard and complicated — for example when you experiencedraising children, changing jobs as well as diapers, housework, division of labor and had more bills than money.
2. Look past the love handles, spare tire and crow’s feet. Everyone gets those over time, but if you love your spouse deep enough, and don’t point out his flaws, your vision will change and each new wrinkle or gray hair will become beautiful to you.
3. Communicate by restraining yourself from doing all the talking. Give your spouse the courtesy to share in the conversation. Listen well, and listen more than you talk.
4. If you think you know your spouse so well that you can complete his sentences… Don’t!
5. Make weekly date night a priority. Take turns asking each other out and planning your dates. Don’t let other things get in the way of your date night.
6. Serve your spouse! When you lose yourself in the service of your spouse, love grows deeper and happiness is the result!
7. Develop an attitude for gratitude. When your spouse makes the effort to do something nice for you, show your appreciation and acknowledge it. It is a wonderful feeling to know that you have been thought about warmly during the day, and it is also heartening to know your thoughts and actions have been appreciated.
8. Smile and laugh a lot. A sense of humor keeps a marriage fun.
9. Don’t dwell on past mistakes. Learn to forgive, and forget, then move on.
10. Take turns enjoying and discovering each other’s individual interests. Participate equally in these.
11. Pick your nose if you have to, but don’t pick a fight. My grandmother use to say, “The first fault finder smells his own behinder.” Let the small things go, and choose your battles wisely.
12. How would you like it if every little thing about you was examined under a magnifying glass? Forget the lint in his navel, oiliness of his skin, nose hairs, and extended length eyebrows. He’ll be more apt to let you trim them if you aren’t constantly nagging.
13. Remember the three finger rule. If you are pointing at him all the time, be quick to remember that three fingers are pointing back at you. You have as many or more faults, so start by cleaning out your own closet before you begin working on his.
14. Learn to say I’m sorry. Don’t keep track of who says it the most.
15. Compromise by definition means to negotiate or agree upon by making concessions. A happy marriage is give and take, so be sure to give more than you take.
16. Be a me firster! Don’t wait for your spouse to say I love you, and don’t keep track of who says it the most.
17. A soft answer turneth away wrath _(Proverbs 15:1)._The louder it gets, the worse things become. Speak softly, especially during times of anger and stress.
18. Don’t pretend to know it all. Think about how happy it would make your spouse, if you let him think he taught you something, every once in a while.
19. Always kiss good night, good morning and good bye. You never know when it will be your last chance to do so.
20. Be your spouse’s greatest and most trusted, loyal fan.