Invest in Your Marriage. It's Cheaper Than a Divorce

For our entire married life, Dan and I have invested in our marriage by going away together for a couple of days — just the two of us — no friends or children invited. Now in the empty nest, we find we still need to get away from the dull and drear of life and just have fun!

The past two days, we had a blast in New York City! 

Don't let New York scare you. We never felt unsafe or threatened. Of course, we stayed away from alleys and subways. Driving was not difficult. We timed our trip in and out during non-rush hours. Pre-paid a parking space in a garage, one block from Time Square and Broadway the first day. And pre-paid again three pleasant walking blocks from the World Trade Center Memorial the second day. 

Arriving in NYC we enjoyed dinner at, where else, a NY diner on Time Square. There we splurged (forgive me WW) on a New York cheesecake, where we learned the difference between NY cheesecake and the rest of the world's cheesecake. New York cheesecake's is heavy and rich with cream cheese as the main ingredient. Other cheesecake is lighter and creamier with more cream and sour cream. In case you were wondering.

We treated ourselves to The Music Man on Broadway. Not an inexpensive evening, but since we haven't been out of the house for 2 1/2 years, our entertainment budget is plush and our marriage deserves this treat. Like I said, cheaper than a divorce. What a powerful and wonderful Broadway show. Our hearts were full of joy and fun as our toes tapped their way back to our hotel. Highly recommend. 

Our second day we held hands and strolled the streets of Manhattan. So beautiful and full of fun and life. 

Our destination was the World Trade Center Memorial Museum. You must go. For the good of this country, all must go. Our hearts were sad, but uplifted realizing again the beauty of the human spirit. People helping each other down that long stair case. Firemen, policemen, the military rushing into burning buildings losing their own lives to save others. My heart is filled with hope. I pray as a nation we realize anew that our police and all service workers deserve our support and praise. When I pass a policeman, I always tell them "Thank you for keeping us safe." Visit the WTC Memorial Museum. I suspect you'll do the same.

Hoping this encourages you to invest in your marriage by going away for a few days. Weekly dates are special, but going away for a few days are a honeymoon! Ooo-la-la!

Splashes of Serenity on your marriage today!

Seven No No's When Dating Your Spouse

Anyone see it? What is wrong with this picture?

Last March Dan and I enjoyed a lovely dinner in Bosnia Herzegovina with our friends Mark and Kathy Eikost. We laughed and dined and were blessed with great fellowship and fun.

"Let me take your picture?" Good times are worth commemorating. Admiring the sweet smiles of our friends, I laughed when I realized their photo had indeed been bombed.

Do you see what's wrong? Why is the date at the next table going badly?

Not wanting to miss a teachable moment I noticed during the entire dinner, the couple never took their eyes off their phones. Not once. The waitress arrived and they ordered without looking at her or each other. The meal was served and their time on their phones didn't skip a beat. Their communication was silent.

Now, I don't want to judge, because possibly there was a family crisis going on and they needed to be attached to their phones instead of each other. But there is a lesson here.

Seven No No's When Dating Your Spouse:

1. Leave your telephones in your pockets and concentrate on each other.

2. Don't always double date with your favorite couple. You know what happens? The wives talk with each other and the husbands do the same. Nothing wrong with that, but make sure most of your dates eliminate other people.

3. Don't always talk about work, children, or negative subjects. Certainly there are times when you need to communicate with each other about work and children  or unpleasant  topics. But, once in a while decide to only talk about each other and what you love about each other. Dream your dreams and plan your future together refusing to put each other down or squash each other's plans.

4. Don't listen to the next table's conversation.  Give your full attention to your spouse, looking deep into their eyes.

5. Don't treat your spouse like a business associate. Instead build up your spouse like you did when you first dated. Guys, open the door for your sweetie, help her with her coat and chair. Gals, smile at your lover. Slip your hand on his knee. Give your love your full attention.

6. Do NOT flirt with the waiter or waitress!!!

7. If you see someone you know and engage in conversation with that person, honor your spouse by introducing him or her to your friend. 

I am sure there are other "no-no's." I'd love to hear from you any I've missed. Or perhaps some favorite memory of dating your spouse.

"I am my lover's and my lover is mine;" 

Song of Songs 6:3

Splash serenity on your marriage by making your marriage a priority. Always.

Creative Dating Strengthens Your Love and Your Marriage

The other day  Dan and I ran through the vineyards. I laughed thinking of  Solomon's bride, the Shulamite woman, seducing her Solomon with

"Come, my love, let us go out to the fields

and spend the night among the wildflowers.

Let us get up early and go to the vineyards

to see if the grapevines have budded.

If the blossoms have opened,

and if the pomegranates have bloomed.

There I will give you my love." 

Song of Songs 7: 11--12  

Woo Hoo! Well, just to calm your curiosity, no, Dan and I did not spend the night in the vineyards. But we did have a lovely day and our love and marriage were strengthened.

Because that's what dating your spouse does.

 Strengthens your love and your marriage.

We live close to New York vineyards. The beauty of the drive was enough to satisfy my hunger for a get away with my love..

Romantic Naples, New York

The sun and light wind gave us  a soul and a marriage massage as we picked boxes of grapes.  

Continuing the fun we made memories and juice. 

Together.

During the juice making process, 

we laughed.

Thoughts of Lucille Ball stomping grapes came to mind.

I share our fall day with you hoping to urge you to keep dating your spouse. 

Like the Shulamite woman, be creative! 

Like Lucy, be fun.  

Seek creative ways to experience each other anew and afresh 

in the vineyard and in the kitchen!

What creative dates have you and your honey enjoyed?

I know where you can find a vineyard! Wink! Wink!

May God splash serenity on your marriage,

Every Marriage Needs a Prague

Four days and five sleeps in the romantic city of Prague!

What a blessing for Dan and I to enjoy this beautiful City of Spires.

We laughed!

We hiked!

We climbed to the top of towers

(although we were urged to please take the elevator, we did not)

 and we made it to the top!

We ate in the Square!

We enjoyed cafes and daffodils!

We didn't talk about work or problems.

We just had fun.

 

We enjoyed one-man bands.

 

Bands on the square

 

 

 

And the Prague Symphony Orchestra!

(No cameras allowed)

 

And we enjoyed delightful European hospitality.

Why can't American hotels heat their towels and toilet paper?

 

 



We went away and forgot about the world.

Concentrating only on each other and our love!

We laughed and played and had fun for four days.

 

Here's what we didn't do:

We didn't talk about work or problems or children or pets.

We didn't read a newspaper.

We didn't watch television.

We didn't argue or worry about tomorrow.

We didn't ask another couple to join us.

 

Wouldn't you agree that your marriage needs Prague?

 

You may not fly to Europe this week,
 but you can plan a picnic or a walk in the park —

just the two of you.

Lavish praise on your lover and thanks to our God and enjoy romance.

It's all right.
 Marriage is a gift from God.

Enjoy!!!

 

You don't have to spend money to enjoy an evening of fun with your lover.

Be creative!

Surprise your honey with an adventure!

For, afterall,

every marriagae needs a Prague!

 

I'd love to hear the best date you had with your honey. Why not do it again!

Pour some splashes of serenity on your marriage today!