Three simple marriage brighteners

We have been very busy lately. John and I have not had much time alone together. It seems that, when we do have time, we are focused on accomplishing tasks and planning our calendar. I want to spend a little more time making John and our marriage more of a priority. I have decided to work on three little marriage brighteners.

I will give him my undivided attention when we are talking. It is so easy to fall into multitasking when there are a million jobs to be done. It seems like I can listen while working. But, when I stop folding laundry and give my full attention to what he is saying, I am really telling John that he is more important to me than my "to do" list.

I will kiss him hello and goodbye. We are so often on the run that I will just yell "goodbye" from another room as John is leaving or shout "hello" when I walk in the door. I know how nice it is to receive a kiss as a greeting and a goodbye. I resolve to take a few seconds to give him a kiss, instead of just shouting my greeting. This will reinforce the idea that our marriage is important and that we are not just mice on a treadmill.

I will be mindful of smiling more when I am around John. I am a cheerful person, but I sometimes use all of my energy smiling for other people and save my frowns for when I am home. The more a person smiles, the happier the person is. If I smile at John, I know that we will both feel happier.

By working on these three simple changes, I will show John that I love him and that he is a priority in my life.