Ferocious Flirting: Making Marriage Wonderful

Simple Date Night Prescription "Rather than visiting the same familiar haunts and dining with the same old friends, couples need to tailor their date nights around new and different activities that they both enjoy ... The goal is to find ways to keep injecting novelty into the relationship. The activity can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or something a little more unusual or thrilling -- like taking an art class or going to an amusement park." Source: Tara Parker-Pope. "Reinventing Date Night for Long-Married Couples." NYTimes.com. 2/12/2008

A oft-heard Christmas Carol is the Twelve Days of Christmas in which a "true love" sends a different gift over the course of 12 days. My true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtledoves, And a partridge in a pear tree! I never did get what leaping lords are good for but that is beside the point. For Valentine's Day, take the same concept and make a " count down to Valentine's Day ". Twelve (Feb 3) Lots of things comes in dozens like flowers, doughnuts and eggs. Also, you should be able to find flowers for a reasonable price still. Eleven (Feb 4) Eleven sweet nothings like the candy hearts or Dove Chocolate Promises both of which have messages for the day. Ten ( Feb 5) Ten digits like phone numbers or fingers. Send an "I love you" TXT message or

All Pro Dad: 10 Ways to make Valentine's Day wonderful for your wife Handle Valentine’s Day poorly, men, and the results can be catastrophic—a marriage conflict situation out of nowhere. When we get it right, however—using our thoughtfulness and class—all can be right with the world. So, here are 10 ideas worth their weight—in chocolate! Try two or three, or do everything on the list.

With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, it is time to get a special present. Cards, chocolates and flowers are all good stand-by but why not take it up a notch this year. We have all heard that "its the thought that counts". In order for the thought to count, some thought has to be put into the gift. Simply running out on the 13th with the herd and getting whatever card is left over does not count as thought. Instead, why not give a personalized gift? Of course you can buy a personalized gift and even Save 15% on Personalized Valentine's Day Gifts (min $50) but you can also personalize a gift yourself. Personalized gifts don't need to cost a lot of money, some are just a few cents. They will take a little forethought and planning to have a gift ready for the big day. Keep in mind personalized gifts are often the most memorable. Some of the ideas posted here over the years include: Singing Telegram Personalized Kisses Printable Love Coupons Cand

All Pro Dad - 10 Strategies to Restore an Ailing Marriage : "But - if successful courting requires commitment, hard work and imagination to pull off… then why does it surprise us when neglect hurts relationships after we walk down the aisle? She wouldn’t have married you if you took her for granted - why risk everything now?" Even if your marriage is strong, healthy and happy these are good to look over.

The article Flirt With the One You Love -- Why You Should Flirt With Your Spouse has some great ideas for keeping marriage wonderful. Why do couples stop flirting anyway?

Time is often a problem with couples, always too busy for each other. The All Pro Dad has some great ideas for spending more time together .

If you're looking for perfection, look in the mirror. If you find it there, expect it elsewhere. Malcolm S. Forbes (1919-1990, American publisher, businessman) Everyone wants others to be tolerant of their own follies, weaknesses and foibles. Yet we are often harsh and intolerant of the weakness of others. In Matthew 7:3-5 we read: 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Especially in marriage, it is important to be tolerant, kind-hearted and forgiving of each other.

Picture this: Your sweetheart got finished a project at work. How do you react? People love to celebrate with others when an "event" occurs in their life. The events don't need to be the big ones either, event the small events in life need celebrating. Each life needs time spent celebrating with people who build us up and are happy for us. After I had been laid off and found a new job, I decided to celebrate the first anniversary of my new job. I went to the store and got a decorated cake and we made an "event" out of it. What should you do when you spouse has good news? Be positive and excited. Don't become jealous, dismissive or selfish. We all know a gloomy Gus or two who always look on the down side of life. Maybe it is "I never get anything like that" or "that's nice dear" or "great, now you can have time to weed the garden". Instead be positive and celebrate together.