Everything old can be new again
***image1***How wonderful that after 365 days we get to start back over again. Every year we get a chance at a new beginning. As we enter a new year we reflect on the past, set goals for the future and make resolutions that will ensure a more successful year than the previous one. Last year at this time, we encouraged you to resolve to make your marriage a priority in the New Year. Hopefully you are resolving to make your marriage a priority every day of every year. We thought it might be helpful to look backwards in time this January to assure that 2006 becomes one of the best years yet in your marriage. Think all the way back to your first date with your now husband or wife. What did you two do? Where did you go? What did you talk about? What memories do you have of the time you spent together? Move past the memories of your first date and slowly reflect on follow-up dates, phone calls that you had to each other back then, love notes or cards you might have penned or received. Close your eyes for a minute and just sit there and soak up the memories of that time in your past life – then open your eyes and read on for your next assignment. Now move a little more forward in your time-line to when you became engaged and then married. Concentrate on recalling the things that you did for each other and with each other during your courtship and first days of marriage. There are recollections that might immediately bring a smile to your face. Finish these thoughts: I remember when I would…….and then he/she would...... Surely one or two things leap to mind. Now think of ways that you could do those things again. Do those things for your beloved now that you did back when you were dating and first married. Things maybe you haven’t done in awhile. Maybe you can even do them better now! Make all of those old actions and old experiences part of your new year. If you "used to", then trying doing it anew. You know what these things are. For example, when we were dating and first married, I (Deborah) would watch Greg play softball. I sometimes went to three games a week. I actually watched the game or at least when he was actually out on the field. Win or loose, I would listen to him replay the game all the way home. It gives Greg great joy and pride to have me come and watch him play at any sport. Most of the time however, whenever Greg plays tennis I am too busy doing other things to take time to sit by a court and watch him. This is something that I used to do that I could start doing again. I know that some of you will be looking to see if I am at the Tennis Center this upcoming spring! In our second piece later this month, we will prompt you with some Valentine ideas. You can already start thinking about this yourself. What did you do for each other the first Valentine’s Day that you were a couple? Put a new spin on an old idea. If possible, take her to the same place you went to on your first date. Buy a nightgown for him like you wore on your wedding night. Be creative; anticipate the upcoming month that celebrates love. If you have any questions for comments please feel free to contact Greg and Deborah at Brocks@familiesintraning.info.