How to Strengthen a Marriage on Valentine's Day

By eHow Contributing Writer
www.ehow.com

Valentine's Day most often highlights new love: first dates, boyfriends and girlfriends and engaged couples. Young puppy love is fresh and exciting, but let's not forget about those married couples. After being together for so long, they are certainly deserving of their share of Cupid's romance. Here's how to keep that married love alive every February 14th.



Instructions


Step 1 Get rid of the kids. This doesn't apply to everyone, but for the significant portion of the population that is married with children, listen up. The easiest way to strengthen your marriage on this romantic day is to create an atmosphere that focuses on the couple, not the family. Kids love Valentine's Day, but you can celebrate with them later. They've gotta go.



Step 2 Include something unusual in your plan for the day. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but it should definitely be something you don't do everyday. For example, enjoy an appetizer with dinner if you usually dive right into the main course, or take a bath together if you usually share a shower. An activity that is not part of the regular routine will help you both recognize the unique opportunity that Valentine's Day affords you to enjoy one another.



Step 3 Utilize spontaneity and surprise. While most make dinner reservations for Cupid's day, a marriage can be strengthened by planning a surprise. Or rather...not planning. There are two ways to do this. The first is to make no Valentine's plans and see what the day brings you as a couple. Some people are a little too regimented for spontaneous activity. If you and your spouse need a definitive plan, agree to create surprises for each other to be presented on Valentine's Day.



Step 4 Dress up. The natural progression of marriage results in caring less and less about being seen in pajamas and jeans. Spend time sprucing up your physical appearance. Your significant other will appreciate the gesture, and the joint effort to look nice will stir up memories from your dating days.



Step 5 Prepare something personalized. Personalized gifts win by a landslide on Valentine's Day. Buy or make a present you hadn't considered giving in a long time. True, the thought of a poem or song lyrics seems cheesy, but nothing will strengthen a marriage more than demonstrating time, love and effort by doing something special for your spouse.

Communicate what you are thinking to your spouse. Every day, but especially on Valentine's Day, communication is the key to a strong marriage.