Do you take your anniversary for granted 🤔 ??

My beautiful Bride and I just celebrated 13 years of marriage 🤗 in September. In today's anti-marriage society, that is a big accomplishment, and with what we've been through it is a big deal. We have decided to celebrate big each year on our anniversary because we've been through so much together. We will always celebrate marriage‼️

I am saddened by the how many couples don't take their anniversary seriously. We hear all the time "It's no big deal." or "we're not doing anything special." 😳 This day is the birthday of your marriage and should be celebrated just as much or even more so that your birthday's. You don't have to take a big vacation or spend a ton of money, but let's invest in our marriage. If you own a home or nice cars don't you think you should invest some money into the best earthly relationship you have⁉️ There are lots of creative ideas you can implement at home. The key is to just do something to celebrate the one you ❤️ love.

I understand though, early in our marriage I had the same attitude unfortunately. I treated it as another day and I do regret it. I do wish I could go back and let Johnna know that I really valued our marriage early on, but like a lot of couples I got blinded 😥 by accomplishment, and fatigue. I let my pursuit of work and kids take the place of romance. Thank the Lord that we have worked through that and I've been forgiven by Johnna, but it definitely made for some rough years.

I would consider myself a "Hopeful Romantic." I've always been romantic and had fun being creative. But for some reason the pursuit of career goals, having young kids who don't sleep much 😂😂 in the beginning, and the pressures of life that stuff took a back seat. So here are a few things to help you if you're struggling with some ideas on romantic things to do for your anniversary.

1. Put the kids to bed early: We love our kids, believe me, but they definitely don't enhance romance when they are running around upstairs while you're trying to have a conversation. So if they're young put them to bed early (it won't hurt them even if they think it will. 😀)

2. Dinner at home: Order your favorite takeout or even better the restaurant you went on your first date to (if you both liked it) and have a romantic dinner at home. Ask each other some creative questions about what made you guys fall for each other. Reminisce about your past together and dream about your future together.

3. Put together a romantic playlist: Over the past few months I've been putting together a romantic "bedroom" playlist. I've got everything from beach sounds to old school romantic songs. Your spouse will love the fact that you are thinking about them enough to do so.

4. Go out to dinner: If you're kids are a little older and can handle not boring the house down while you're out for a few hours, go out to your favorite dinner spot. You can spice it up by ordering flowers to be delivered waiting for her when you sit down. Hint: you may want to call the restaurant and make a reservation or at least tell them your plans so they can play along. 👍

5. Take a bath or shower together: I know not everyone's bath tub can fit both of you, if not take a shower and just focus on being together. Water is very romantic and you can really enjoy being close. If you do have a bath tub, read a romantic Christian book or "Song of Songs" in the bible. It is very romantic.

6. If you can swing it, go somewhere fun: We always try to do at least an overnight or a weekend. This year we rented a house within a few blocks from the beach for a week in Florida, last year we did 4 days in the mountains of Colorado Springs. It doesn't really matter, just that you are together away from the pressures and distractions of home. Really refresh and focus on each other. What adventures can you do together while you are away? We love food, so we try new and exciting restaurants. They aren't always great but it's fun 😊 to try.

7. Start a Sex Challenge: Yes that's right a sex challenge. We listened to the "One Extraordinary marriage" podcast and they talked about starting with a 7 day sex challenge and eventually working up to a 60 day challenge. Its simply making sex a priority in your marriage by making sure during the challenge you pursue sex with each other at least once a day. They talked about how it increased intimacy and you are making it a priority by scheduling it. It's a great place to start on your anniversary.

#Anniversary #intimacy #love #marriage