We were married on December 21, 2008.
I remember people telling me to enjoy the honeymoon stage because it won’t last forever. Someone said, “A honeymoon is the short period between the bridal toast and the burnt toast.” We get messages from many different places, including Christians, that the honeymoon was only meant to last but for a moment.
Tyrone & Alicia Partee on their Wedding Day!
Webster defines honeymoon as:
1 : a period of harmony immediately following marriage.
2 : a period of unusual harmony especially following the establishment of a new relationship.
3 : a trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple.
What’s magical about the honeymoon?
Is it the well wishes, gifts and prayers that we received at our wedding and reception? Is it the fact that we were able to go away to a secluded place and not think about the hustle and bustle of being home? Is it that we stopped, separated ourselves from family and friends and focused on one another? Or is it the fact that we take the time to do something special for one another?
I say it is all of the above! We have only been married 18 months, so you might say that we should still be in the honeymoon stage. However, I personally know couples that have been married several years and they still confess of being in the “honeymoon stage.” How do you stay in the “honeymoon stage?” I can’t say there is one formula or secret for keeping the honeymoon period alive, but we will share some suggestions from our personal experience and other couples we’ve talked to.
1. Intentionally invest in your marriage
It is important to intentionally set aside time for your marriage. Just like you schedule tune- ups for your car, repair and maintenance on your home, you have to schedule time to keep your marriage tuned up and in good working order. A time specifically set aside to work on your marriage. Maybe you’ve noticed that you haven’t been communicating with your spouse as much as you desire. Or maybe you notice the romance is fading. Take time to address these areas. Read a book together, pray together, go to a marital conference together, talk to a therapist together. Remember, don’t wait until the house is burning down before you get some help. Consider attending a marriage conference or retreat at least once a year.
2. Schedule specific time away from everything, even if it’s a “staycation.”
We have all heard of “date nights,” but many couple can’t seem to make it a priority in their life. We have struggled in this area too. Life gets busy and things have to be done, but isn’t your marriage worth it? Stop right now, open your calendars and coordinate a time you can go on a date. The difference is that this is not simply a date but an appointment that must be kept. Be aware, that as soon as you do this, all type of other things will pop up. Both of us being Pastors struggle with setting boundaries with our time. We’ve made promises to turn off our cell phones, only to put them on silent. Not to bring our laptops, only to pull out the iphone and check email. We have found that people will live if they can’t reach us. Even our kids will live. Schedule a date night. You deserve to enjoy one another! You deserve to have some fun!
3. Thank God DAILY for the precious gift He has given you in your spouse
This seems simple, but it becomes difficult when things aren’t going our way in life, or we’re just too busy to stop and thank God. Sometime we spend more time thanking God for our stuff than for our spouse. We have found that taking time to thank God for the little things that we do for each other is a way to thank God daily. It is especially important to thank God for your spouse when they have done a little thing such as pick up the clothes at the cleaners when the other person did not have time. Thank God for the gift that God has given you.
Share your insights and feedback by posting a comment.
Do you agree or disagree?
What do you think, “Does the Honeymoon REALLY Have to End?” … What do you think?
Loading ...