Food for Marriage: Love Tip - 2

Well, the Food for Marriage 2 week series is over. To recap what the 6 foods were;

1. Christ-Centered
2. Communication
3. Commitment
4. Quality Time
5. Intimacy
6. Support System

I wanted to include a picture of the Food for Marriage Pyramid so you all could print it out if you so desired as a friendly reminder.

Also, I wanted to include some love tips for ways to apply the things we discussed this week. As always I would encourage you to try at least 1 of the following 3 tips:

1. Quality Time - This weekend carve out some time to sit down with your spouse with no distractions. If you have kids, get a sitter for even an hour. No TV's, no computers, no answering or using phone, just the two of you. Take an hour or so to talk. Don't know what to talk about? Start with how his/her week has been. Or start with asking your spouse what their favorite memory of your marriage has been. Just spend some time together talking with one another about life. Too scary or awkward? Then plan a picnic, walk, day at an amusement park, or some other activity for the 2 of you to do together. Conversation will come along with the day. The point is to spend time together where it is just the two of you building relationship with one another.
2. Intimacy - Try planning something romantic for the two of you. (this is for married couples only :)) Maybe it's candles, light music, and...well, I am sure you can think of something ;) Try to really focus on being present with your spouse. Keep your mind there in the room with your spouse (try not to be thinking about the 500 things on your to do list or how you look or how you forgot to clean out the fridge). Eye contact is encouraged and vulnerable conversation is as well. See where the night leads and if you can up the connection between the two of you.
3. Support System - Sit down with your spouse and talk about who all is in your closest group of friends and family (who all do you spend the most time with, go to for advice, who do you consider your closest confidants outside of each other). Talk about some of the other people you might surround yourselves with that might not be quite as close. Then talk about the quality of friendships they are and if they encourage the marriage or not. If not, how can you maybe distance yourselves a bit. If so, how can you surround yourselves more with them and other people like them. If you aren't married and are just in a relationship, I would encourage you to still try this out. If you are single, I would still encourage you to examine your support system to see how is encouraging and holding you accountable for your actions.
   

Alright everyone, try it out and let me know what you think! Happy weekend! By the way, I would just like to take a moment to say Happy 1 year anniversary to the love of my life!!! It has been the most incredible year together, and I could not be more blessed!!! I love you Steve!!!!! <3>