How to Sweeten Your Marriage

The best way to sweeten your marriage is to remember what you were like when you first started dating your spouse. If you work half as hard now as you did then, the sugar is sure to flow.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Make Every Day a Treat

1. Plant secret surprises in your spouse’s lunch box. Just the idea that you fixed lunch is often enough treat. Adding a note or card can make things real sweet for you when your spouse gets home.
2. Start the day together with a quick breakfast and a nice conversation. Being able to spend a few minutes together each morning will keep the day going on the right track.
3. Make the house a refuge for coming home. Set a quiet time from ten minutes before your spouse arrives until 30 minutes afterwards. This gives every one a chance to wind down from the day.
4. Remember to tell your spouse how you feel. Nothing sweetens up a marriage quicker than a few sweet-nothings whispered in an ear.

Create Some Special Moments

5. Slip a special present into your spouse’s car--something that will hint of things to come.
6. Send the kids off to the grandparents for the weekend and plan some quiet moments at home alone for just the two of you.
7. Get tickets to your spouse’s favorite event and then make the outing a complete surprise.
8. Sweeten your marriage with a few sweets. Build a large fire, put on some soothing music and have a tray of fruits and chocolates waiting for your spouse. This could be the night to break out that special gift you left in the car.
9. Surprise you spouse with a night (or day) of eating out. There will be nothing to cook, no mess to clean up, and no dishwasher to run.
10. Call your spouse at work (or from a neighbor’s house if the work is done from home) and ask her out on a date. Take the time to plan out the date (and that includes being responsible for child care).

Tips & Warnings

• Listen when your spouse tells you a story, explains a need or just lets the words fall out for no particular reason. A good ear can be the best gift ever received.
• Watch your spouse for hints and suggestions about what is going on in his life. Body language can often speak much louder than words.
• Remember what lengths you went to win your spouse in the beginning and repeat those actions to ensure that you sweeten your marriage.