February 23, 2016
“The longing in a single person’s heart for a wife or a husband finds its root in God’s glory.” Matt Chandler
I believe that a lot of people, including myself, forget the beauty of marriage sometimes compared to the beauty of a wedding day. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a spectacular wedding day filled with beautiful memories, bouquets, delicious cakes, and stunning wedding dresses/tuxes. I love photographing them and cherishing that I, and Michelle, were a part of those spectacular moments! It can fill my heart up so so much. Yet, there is a lot more to a marriage then just one day. It is all the days that you work on when things are not going right. It is those days you can’t stop laughing because they is making you laugh insanely. It is in those quiet moments we want to invite you in.
We want to share that our lives, our marriages, our business take time and effort. It takes patience when things are not going our way, it takes celebration when you check a HUGE item off of the check list. It is what makes life so so beautiful. The progress over perfection because we will never reach it. We wanted to take twenty minutes of your day to share with you some of our favorite engagement or marriage tips that we have learned over the past 5 to 20 years!
- Everyday is a new day. Start it off even better than the day before, even if the night ended not so happy. Maybe this is doing something that you know they love…make them a cup of coffee and bring it to them, make their favorite meal, or write them a note telling them to have a wonderful day!
- It is the tone of how you say something rather than what you say. I know for me personally, I do this a lot. It is something I truly have to work on, but it is so so important. When you want to present or say how you feel, remember that they may not understand quiet yet where you are coming from. Speak with a heart full of love!
- Spend quality time with your fiance or husband/wife. You two are making a long term commitment, remember to spend time with each other. If you’re engaged, spend time with each other not talking or planning out wedding details! If you are married, spend time with each other with a phone as well!
- Date night without a phone is a must. We all know having a date night is important…it is even more important to have a date night without your phone. Shut them off and put them out of site! Talk with each other about anything and everything! Your phone will cause too much distraction.
- Pray for each other. Something so critical is often forgotten. We can get stuck in our daily lives to forget to pray for the other. To pray for difficult decision or to even have a beautiful day. Praying for one another brings you closer to each other and to what the other needs.
- At the end of each day, ask what was an encouragement. Ask what you could have done better..now that might seem like an odd question to ask, but we all have ways to improve! We all have ways to improve for ourselves but also our loved one!
Lastly, I wanted to share a few things I have learned when Jake and I were engaged! These things we started to do and it really was such an encouragement!
- Start reading a Psalms a day, a year out from your wedding!
- Read, read, and read! Jake and I read a lot of book to prepare ourselves for marriage and asked questions!
- Marriage Counseling! A lot of people miss out on this wonderful opportunity, but trust me when I say…it is worth every second.
- Don’t be afraid to ask! Of someone who is afraid to ask questions or “bother” someone, it will never hurt because that person can tell you from what they have experienced!
Michelle and I cherish our marriages and realize all the love and work you put into it. We really thought we would share some of our thoughts on what we have taken the time to learn about how to nurture your relationship. Even if you aren’t married (or engaged) these are some helpful tips you and your significant other can start practicing in your relationship now, it will help you grow together!
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