Loving your spouse and liking them are not the same thing, and the second is easier to lose. Noticing again, speaking well of each other, and guarding against contempt.
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Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 1They were committed to their marriage. They shared responsibilities, remained faithful, and continued doing what needed to be done. But somewhere along the way, they stopped enjoying each other. They still said, “I love…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 2She could quickly name what frustrated her about him. He could easily describe the habits he wished she would change. Neither spouse was inventing the problems. But disappointment had become the lens through which…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 3He handled something for the family that he had done many times before. She noticed, but said nothing. Later, she made an adjustment that helped his day go more smoothly. He appreciated it internally,…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 4The comment was meant to be funny. Everyone laughed, but her husband became quiet. On another occasion, he described one of her weaknesses to friends as though it were harmless conversation. She smiled in…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 5She felt most appreciated when everything was completed. When the house was organised, the responsibilities were handled, and everyone was satisfied, her effort was noticed. He felt valued when he was producing, providing, or…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 6At first, their differences were interesting. One was spontaneous while the other planned carefully. One processed thoughts aloud while the other needed quiet. One enjoyed a full room, and the other recovered best in…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 7The disagreement was not unusual. What made it painful was what followed. An eye roll. A mocking laugh. A sentence delivered as though one spouse were foolish and the other were clearly superior. The…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 8He noticed the major accomplishments. A promotion, a completed project, or an important problem solved always received recognition. But the smaller strengths often passed quietly. The patience she showed when the day became difficult….
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 9The question was simple. But it came at the end of a long day. One spouse answered sharply. The other responded with the same energy. Within moments, they were arguing about much more than…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 10She was expressive and could turn an ordinary story into an event. He was quieter, noticing details others often missed. Early in their relationship, these qualities felt refreshing. Over time, the same traits occasionally…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 11They were with friends when someone complimented her work. Her husband smiled and added, “She put so much care into that. I am proud of her.” The sentence was brief, but she remembered it….
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 12He spoke warmly about his wife whenever others were present. She regularly praised her husband in public. But inside the home, their words were often impatient. Requests sounded like commands. Opinions were dismissed, and…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 13He came home later than expected. Before he could explain, she said, “You never consider my time.” On another day, she forgot something important. He responded, “You clearly do not care enough to remember.”…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 14They began looking through old photographs. One picture reminded them of a conversation that lasted for hours. Another brought back the laughter of an early outing and the excitement of learning each other’s story….
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 15She admired many things about her husband. His steadiness helped the family feel secure. His humour softened difficult days, and his willingness to serve rarely depended on being noticed. But most of her admiration…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 16He said, “You know I appreciate you.” She believed him, but she could not remember the last time he had explained what he appreciated. In another marriage, the wife often thought warmly about her…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 17The change was not complete. He still became defensive at times, but he was learning to pause and listen. She still struggled to communicate a need directly, but she was beginning to speak before…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 18They respected each other when life was calm. But during disagreement, their language changed. A forgotten task became proof that one spouse was irresponsible. A different opinion became evidence that the other was selfish….
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 19She told her husband that she admired his patience. He laughed and said, “You should have seen how impatient I felt.” Later, he thanked her for the way she had supported him. She immediately…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 20They appreciated each other most when something reminded them to pause. An anniversary brought thoughtful words. A crisis revealed how much they depended on one another. A public celebration made honour feel natural. Then…
Liking, Appreciating and Enjoying Your Spouse · Day 21Friends noticed something about their marriage. The husband did not compete with his wife’s strengths. The wife did not minimise her husband’s contribution. They spoke truthfully about each other, celebrated growth, and made room…