Bring Home the Froyo (literally)

I had had a long day.  A normal day with two young kids, I admit.  Aaron walked in the door with a huge bowl of Cookies & Cream/Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel flavored frozen yogurt in his hand.

My favorite.

He did that for me.  Something simple.  Something that took an extra fifteen minutes out of his day and an extra five bucks out of his wallet.  It was just what I needed to feel loved, appreciated, and energized for the night. I grabbed Aaron, kissed his cheek a few times, hugged him, and thanked him for being so thoughtful.

You see, I'm a froyo girl. Flowers are always a delight to receive, but I appreciate just as much (if not more) when Aaron gets me something he knows I love - something like frozen yogurt. So, here is your challenge:

BRING SOMETHING HOME.
SOMETHING THAT THEY WILL LOVE.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you and your spouse need to constantly be buying gifts for each other. But, from time to time, spontaneous gifts can send a very clear message to your spouse - a message that you know what they love, that you appreciate them, and that you care enough to let them know.

Your first task should be to make special note of what your spouse loves - the colors, smells, tastes, and trinkets that they would adore (believe me when I say that the experience above would not have been so positive if Aaron had brought home HIS favorite flavor of yogurt for me!). Keep an ongoing email/note to yourself of your spouse's favorites (big and small).

Then, be randomly thoughtful.

Pay attention to how your spouse is doing. If they have a big deadline, perhaps pick up a little something for them that night. If they haven't been feeling well, pick up some soup and crackers. If they are struggling with something, bring home something that will make them smile.

Now, I am a big believer that you don't have to spend money or buy love (homemade gifts, handwritten notes, etc, go a long way); but I do want to encourage bringing something home. The magic of walking in the door with something in your hands, is that your spouse isn't EXPECTING you to bring anything home, especially for them. They will be delighted and ecstatic - it will make them smile.

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When you randomly surprise them,  they will know that the gift is a "just because I love you" kind of gift, and not a "because I forgot your birthday," or "because we got in a fight last night," kind of gift (though those gifts may also be appropriate).

Go ahead. Give it a try. Bring something home and let us know how it goes. You will be surprised that in the very act of doing something for your spouse, you will be filled with all kinds of good feelings about your spouse. You will feel love growing in your heart. And you will know that you are being intentional about nurturing your marriage. Now, that is a good feeling.

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