10 Ways to Nurture Oneness back into your Marriage

This list is by no means exhaustive. The first 5 suggestions are meant to simply reset your pattern of behavior. The next 5 are meant to get you thinking. The possibilities are endless... : )

1. GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO NURTURE YOUR MARRIAGE! If you did not grow up with this example of marriage, you may need to ignore the voices in your head telling you it is selfish, or that a good marriage shouldn't need to be nourished. It's not selfish, and a good marriage definitely does need to be nurtured. And as for the kids, giving them this example of marriage is one of the most loving, and necessary gifts we can give. They may cry a bit now (especially if they are old enough to notice this is NEW behavior for mom and dad) but will thank you later.
2. PLAN IT! Get with your hubby and discuss the plan. And then get it on the calendar. Yours, his, and the family calendar!
3. GUARD IT! There will be times it will be necessary to change plans but ... define necessary. It is easier to define necessary before the "drama" strikes. Define necessary, and stick to it. : )
4. ANTICIPATE IT! Write your hubby a love note and leave it in an unexpected place (on the bathroom mirror, in his briefcase, in his lunchbox) telling him how much you are looking forward to your date. And (or) call him when you know he will be unable to answer his phone ... leave him a message telling him how much you are looking forward to spending alone time with him.
5. MEET ALONE! Be creative ... if your schedules are really out of balance it may be necessary to start with simply meeting for coffee, breakfast, lunch.
6. MAKE IT REGULAR! Commit to making this a regular occurence. Get out your planners and schedule it. Meet regularly (ALONE) for coffee, breakfast, lunch. Weekly is ideal, but bi-weekly is probably more realistic goal. Monthly is not regular. : )
7. DREAM TOGETHER! When was the last time you and your guy shared your heart, your dreams, and your passions with one another? Take a walk. Hold hands. Share your dreams.
8. PRAY TOGETHER! Nothing connects our hearts more than praying together with our spouse. This may seem ackward at first but ... hang in there. Pray with your hubby and see what happens. : )
9. PLAY TOGETHER! Remember the days when you were dating and no matter what you were doing it was fun, just because you were together? May I suggest that is because when we were dating we were more likely to be found "playing" together. Find something you both enjoy, and do it together. Something you can do (not as mom and dad) but as husband and wife, as a couple, just for fun ... PLAY TOGETHER.
10. GET AWAY TOGETHER! When was the last time you had a trip with your man? If you said your honeymoon - you need to plan this IMMEDIATELY! Whether it is one night, one weekend, or one week. The reward is sweet. Do not underestimate the reward in getting away together.

I hope you have been inspired by some of the above suggestions. If you are not doing any of the above already, do not be overwhelmed. Simply take one of the suggestions and begin to implement it today. Then add another, and another ... Take it one day at a time and enjoy the journey of rediscovering the beauty of ONEness when 1+1=1.