What We've Learned About Marriage in 33 Years

By Tom Walter on Feb. 24, 2012

Today is our 33rd wedding anniversary, and it is the fourth anniversary we've shared with you since beginning The Romantic Vineyard website.

We are grateful to have this platform to share what we've learned about marriage so far. We say "so far," because as long as we're alive we will continue to learn, grow, succeed and even fail.

Through it all we know that God is with us, showing us and teaching us more about what true love is. He is the One we follow and purpose to be more like, and He is the One who receives the glory for our love and our marriage. It's all for HIM.

Now for our list:

1. Make worshiping and praying together your first priority.
2. Give your lives away together by serving others.
3. Surround yourself with marriages you respect and want to emulate.
4. It is more fun to sleep together than to sleep alone.
5. Be quick to resolve conflict and to confess sin. Humility strengthens marriage, pride tears it down.
6. Always think the best.
7. Plan frequent times to be alone each day, month and year.
8. Share all things together - including your checkbook.
9. Make your spouse smile in ways only you can.
10. Continually grow your love - see 1 Corinthians 13
11. Outdo one another in showing honor.
12. Never stop expressing your love..."I love you," isn't just a quaint phrase. It has weight.
13. Have regular date nights, whether going out or staying at home.
14. Seek to love Christ more and your love for your spouse will grow as well.
15. Study your spouse and do things to bless them according to their likes and desires.
16. Share your dreams and purpose to make them come true.
17. Never stop dreaming about what could be.
18. Guard your heart against temptation and help your spouse guard theirs.
19. Pray FOR your spouse on a daily basis.
20. Always be aware of what is weighing on your spouse's heart and mind.
21. Communication - learn how to communicate effectively.
22. Read good books together, including the Bible.
23. Share what you've learned with others-this will help them, and it will encourage you.
24. Never forget why you fell in love with your spouse in the first place.
25. Be spontaneous when it comes to romance.
26. Lay your life down in practical ways-do the dishes, fix a meal, rake the yard, brew the coffee, massage their neck, listen for needs and seek to fulfill them.
27. Care for your spouse in the everyday, little moments.
28. Hold hands.
29. Give your full attention whenever your spouse is speaking to you.
30. Always kiss good morning, good night and goodbye. Just kiss often, and let the children see you kissing too.
31. Be your spouse's biggest fan.
32. Celebrate your special days together in special ways, i.e. anniversaries, marriage proposal anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
33. Be thankful, grateful and ever aware of the gift from God your spouse is to you.

http://theromanticvineyard.com/