Here are some basic habits you should have in your day-to-day life (married folks). Yes, basic but how many do you do? I must say I strive to do them all on a day to day basis!

- Say “I Love You”. Say it without them saying it, first. Your partner does need to hear the words even if you (or him/her says it isn’t necessary) even if it’s only once per day. I hear it a lot. My husband says it way more than I do. I don’t always reply back “I love you, too”, either. I don’t feel it deserves an automatic “I love you, too!” I feel it should be said with sincerity and love and because I WANT to say it…. not because I have to. He hears it as well, on a regular basis – just not as much as I hear it.

-Accept bad habits and work around them. No need to sweat the small stuff because it’s all small stuff. While you’re working around them think of some of the things s/he does for you. I’ve learned this – no need to get pissy – just deal with it and move on.

-Kiss goodbye and hello. Kiss good morning and goodnight. Hug each other. Basic as it may be in a relationship – many couples lack it. Flirt with ‘em… it’s fun! I’m a huge flirt with my hubby – he loves it. We always kiss and hug – it’s a must.

-Don’t use your partner’s secrets or weaknesses against them. Just don’t. Also, do not use the past against them, either. Bad bad.

-Think about them, first. If you’re always telling him/her “no” to something (plans they want to make, movies, going out, and even sex) Say yes, often. Imagine if you both did this how great it’d be!

-Make love. Have good sex. Don’t make excuses that you don’t have time. Don’t use kids for an excuse. Don’t use you’re not feeling well for an excuse, either. It’ll make you feel better, really! Enjoy one another. You have to make time and the time will be there as long as you make it.

-Respect them. Don’t go talkin’ smack behind their back. If ever I have something to say about my husband – I say it to him. He’ll tell you, I’m honest, that’s for sure! I will admit to being honest a few times and it being hurtful – but in the end, it was best. It makes us stronger.

-Do something together EVERY day. Connect. It could be eating together or walking. Watching a movie or lounging around together. Whatever works, as long as you spend time together. We do things together every day. We cook together. Every meal is at the table, together. We play together, watch movies together, do yard work together, shop together… I love it.

-Date each other. Don’t let the relationship “get old”. This one keeps my marriage going strong. We don’t go out on a lot of dates but we act like two young ones dating, even after 15 years together (12 years of marriage). Simple things like holding hands are nice. There are many ways/things to do. Remember to date your partner for the rest of your lives.

-Listen to each other. A biggie here… many couples don’t LISTEN to each other they simply hear. I believe some stats out there say something like 75% of adults feel their partner doesn’t listen to them. Sometimes I feel I am not being listened too.. but then I realize he may feel that way, too. We both strive to listen to each other.

-Communicate. Verbal expression is a must. Don’t make excuses. There is no excuse good enough for lack of communication.

-Go to bed together. If you’re a night owl, like me, your partner should make effort to stay up with you some. If they are not a night owl, then you should make effort to hit the sack early a few times, as well. Work together for a solution to always go to bed together. (Assuming your work shifts are not 1st and 3rd).

-Remember to do the little things. Ya know, like leaving a note of love… bring home a flower for no reason, etc. There things, as small as they seem, leave big impressions on the heart. Do little things for your mate, OK?

-Replace talk with actions. Don’t just say it, do it. It works best.

-Share a private jokes, be in synch with each other. Be that couple that people will see and say “They are so in love!” or “Aww, newlyweds!” we may act like newlyweds but we aren’t.

-Be honest. You MUST be honest. No matter how big or small it may seem. Don’t sneak things behind their back. Honesty works best. I have met some couples where one partner was not honest with the other. Be it money spending, going out, or something else. That is *not* good.

-Be friends. Be best friends. Laugh together, play together… make it worthwhile.

It’s never too late to adopt these habits. If you don’t do these things, you should. Make an effort, OK? I really love my marriage and I wish everyone could expierence it this way. It really does not get old being with the same person after all these years – it only gets better. I believe if you’re truly with the right person that will hold truth for you, too.

TGIF!