73. Adopt a Family
When
the Christmas holiday starts getting closer, locate a family together
from your church or local charity services that needs to be adopted
for Christmas. Together, shop for the gifts, and have the family
over for the most scrumptious holiday dinner. You will both appreciate
what you have even more as well as your own special relationship.
74. Getting Married
If
your relationship has moved to a set wedding date and the countdown
has started, do something unique and fun. Visit a candy store
and have 30-miniature candy hearts made, each with a special message
of love. Each day, present your mate with the appropriate candy
heart. As you get down to the final days before the wedding, they
might read something like, "Only two more days", "Tomorrow:
The Big Day", "I love you, your wife (or husband)."
75. Motivate Each Other
Find
a mutual incentive that will motivate both of you to being the
best you can be. Find something that you can both be excited about
and then attach some type of reward to the motivation. If one
of you has had a dream of writing a screenplay, make that your
goal and take that on together. The motivation is that when finished,
the two of you will take a beautiful, romantic weekend vacation
to some exotic place. The goal could be anything that is important
to one person or both and that can be worked toward completion
together. Another example would be if your mate has always dreamed
of buying an old model car and restoring it do it together and
then take a special trip to the Indy 500 as your reward. Yet another
example might be to restore a home. Make this a joint project
and then as a reward, add a Jacuzzi into your plans. Use your
imagination and enjoy the venture together.
76. Embrace Change
There
is no relationship on the face of the planet that goes for years
and years without change. People change as they mature and view
life differently, therefore reacting differently. Rather than
get upset with each other over change, embrace change. You may
not always like the changes that happen, but do not throw away
a perfectly good relationship just because the trail starts to
wind. Be patient and encourage new directions while being honest
about concerns that might arise.
77. Reap What You Sow
This
is an old saying that goes back a very long way but it still holds
true today. If you sow love, forgiveness, faithfulness, encouragement,
honesty, and acceptance, then that is what you will reap. It is
definitely true that what you put into a relationship is what
you get back.
78. Board Games
Pick
a night, perhaps on a cold winter night, and just enjoy playing
board games. This can be with just the two of you, or with several
close friends. Bring out the snacks, beverages, and just have
some fun. Laughter and fun are important factors in any relationship,
for any age. Laugh and enjoy having a good time with good honest
fun! You will truly be amazed at what this can do for your relationship.
79. No Interference
Do
not allow other people to interfere with your relationship. If
family members try to get in the middle of fights or debates,
that is definite trouble. You might have friends with well-meant
intentions trying to help you and your mate solve problems. Although
getting another person's perspective is not a bad thing, make
sure it is when you ask for it. It is very important to keep integrity
in your relationship and not allow people to interfere.