A happy marriage requires maintenance. Whether you are newlyweds or have been married for a long time, every marriage will have its ups and downs. Just like life, it is not always smooth sailing.
1. Appreciate your wife.
Married couples go through a period of adjustment, which can cause them to lose some of the close connection that can put a damper on their marriage. To prevent this from happening to you, tell your wife every day how much you appreciate her. When you both wake up in the morning or when she gets home from get off work, give her a passionate kiss to let her know you’re paying attention and that you still feel the connection between you two. Hug her as much as possible, as hugging is a simple physical connection that conveys your love for her and your appreciation for her presence.
2. Tell your wife you love her.
Telling your wife you love her, and these simple gestures can make her happy. Daily life can get crazy, and small things like this can get lost in the shuffle. You may say it every day out of habit, but say it like you mean it. Look her in the eyes before you leave the house and tell her you love her. Let her know you’re saying these words because of your love for her, not out of habit. Keep it romantic rather than sexual, by contrasting it with affectionate gestures like hugs, kisses, or caresses. You want her to feel like you still want to propose to her every day, just as you did before you got married. 3. Buy your wife gifts.
Surprise your wife often. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can give her a small gift to let her know you’re thinking of her. A box of chocolates shows up at home, or you can buy her a bouquet of flowers on your way home from get off work. Buy her that book on her wish list. Pay attention to the things she says she wants and surprise her with them. Not only will she love your gift, but she’ll also be happy that you understand her well enough. Anything unexpected you can do for her will do the trick, like surprising her with her favorite dish or doing all the laundry since you know she doesn’t like it. You can even take the kids out of the house so she can be with her friends.
4. Say thank you.
Marriages sometimes suffer from conversations like, “I did this, so you have to do this.” Don’t let your actions for each other feel like you’re being repaid for them. Instead, make time every day to tell your wife you appreciate the things you do. Say thank you when she puts on the coffee in the morning, thank you when she makes you breakfast… and so on. No matter the occasion, let her know you see what she does for you. Even if it’s simple, try to say it. Tell her, “Thank you,” or “Thank you for having the best wife.” This lets her know you’re grateful for more than just what she does for you.
5. Give your wife space.
You were both single before you got married, and just because you now share a life doesn’t mean you have to share every interest. If she’s willing, give her time to write in the study, or let her go to the gym on her own. Give her enough space to pursue her own interests, regardless of yours. She’ll appreciate the time to recharge and be happy about it. When she wants to do something without you, be sure to support her. Just because she wants to go to the bookstore alone doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. Encouraging her to do what she wants to do can make her happy.
6. Write a love letter to your wife.
Writing a love letter may seem intimidating, but it’s a simple and effective way to make her happy. You don’t have to be a gifted writer; just tell her how you feel. Let her know what you love and how you feel about her. Tell her you can’t imagine your life without her. Explain how you can’t function without her. Hide a love letter somewhere in your room, somewhere she’ll find it easily. Put one in your makeup bag or under your pillow before bed. This letter will surprise her and make her fall asleep smiling.