How to Have a Love for the Ages
08 Feb 2024
How to Have a Love for the Ages
Great Relationship Advice from Real People
Today's world can be harsh on love. Some say that marriage is passe and is a tradition from the yesteryears. Many have settled for Mr. Right Now instead of waiting for Mr. Right. Statistics are rising for broken homes. Some have even lost hope they would ever have a lasting relationship.
Sometimes we need to look away from the world's concept of love and go back to the basics.
Valentines Day often makes single people cringe and hope it passes quickly and couples can also feel like it's too cheesy a day to celebrate. We can overlook the fact that LOVE is our TRUE PURPOSE in life. Let us rejoice and value each person that God has brought into our path!
“Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord has put into the souls of men and women.” - Saint Gianna Molla
Do you want a long-lasting love that fills your heart with joy and gratitude? Read on.
We want to share what we have learned from couples who have been celebrating wedding anniversaries for decades but also finding life with each other to be the best life!
1. Go for second place.
Too often we hear love songs that say "I can't live - if living is without you". The world tells us to enshrine our significant other above all. This is not exactly what we hear from successful couples.
They say that for relationships to last - the foundation must be firm and unchanging. In other words, it must be founded on God who is the author of love and the One who established marriage. We need to put GOD FIRST.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-12
This year's Valentines Day is a perfect time to put God at the center of your relationship because it falls on Ash Wednesday. Why not go to church together that day? Praying together is one of the most important things that a couple can do.
2. Learn your sweetheart's love language
We are all different. The way each of us feel loved is also different. If we want to make others feel loved, we need to know what their love language is. Some people feel the most loved when they receive a gift. Others are more touched by words of praise and affirmation. Some people just want a hug. Then again, others value acts of service much more. We cannot base our expressions of love just basing this on ourselves. We need to know what is most important for our beloved.
3. Always be Grateful
Life is what happens when you are not looking. It goes so fast. Day in and day out there are plans to make, chores to do, errands to fulfill, commitments and it is easy to take your loved ones for granted.
Let's stop and remember how important he or she is to us and be grateful. Let's always say "Thank you" when they do something for us (even if they've been doing it for many years now).
Something nice you can do to remember special moments is to write down what your spouse did for you in small pieces of paper. Roll this up and soon you will have a jar full of beautiful memories. Whenever you need a pick-me-up (or if you just had a disagreement), just pick a random piece of paper to read. You will be surprised at how many things you have forgotten and how truly wonderful your spouse is!
4. Time together
Every week, make sure you spend time bonding. Quality time is always important for every relationship. Do something that enables you to relax. You don't have to spend money on new restaurants or movies. The papemelroti box of dates contain some creative ideas to keep that romantic vibe flowing.
5. Don't sweat the small stuff
Everyone has small quirks and eccentricities that make other people mad or go insane. These little things can actually be the instigating factor that makes couples fight. It can be the way they want their clothes folded a certain way or cooking the food with way too much salt.
Whatever it is, unless the effects are detrimental to your soul, health, or finances, you may just need to grin and bear it. Choose your battles and have less drama.
Try to resolve your differences before you go to sleep. Remember to say "Sorry" if you hurt your partner's feelings and always strive to be a blessing to them.
6. See them differently
When you look at your loved one, does your heart soar with glee or do you feel frustrated or depressed? If it is the latter, you may want to look at them differently.
This person was uniquely fashioned by God and he/she is a gift to you. They are not perfect (just like you) and one day, they won't be there. Life is short. When we remember that we are only on earth for a brief moment in time, we can love people better and bear with their imperfections and weaknesses.
7. Out of the ordinary
If you don't want a humdrum monotonous relationship, then think of ways to surprise your beloved! Message them in the middle of the day, buy them something even if it is not their birthday, send them a joke or something totally unexpected.
8. Be thoughtful
People say that marriage is 50-50 relationship of give and take. It's actually not true. You must give 100% of yourself to your spouse.
True love is unconditional so your love should not depend on how much love is expressed to you. Marriage is a vocation and it is a lifelong string of many acts of love and service to your partner. It is giving more than what is expected that can be a challenge as well as a great joy in your relationship!
A cool couple we know shared that the husband regularly charged his wife's devices just because she would always forget to do it.
9. Expressing love increases love
We should always strive to grow in our love for others. We can only do this by God's grace but it is in the striving that we achieve it!
The more that you do things for your sweetheart, the more your love is multiplied. Love is like other skills that when practiced often are honed and improved.
The difference with love is that we don't have to have the emotional feeling to express it. It is a decision. We don't need to feel great love and sentimental emotions to wash the dishes for our spouse - but we know that doing it is a simple yet admirable expression of our love for the other.
10. Heavenly aspirations
Our spouses were not created to be our personal assistants, available to serve our needs and be at our beck and call. This is not what relationships are for.
Ultimately, we want our life partners to be the best people they can be, achieve their earthly mission, and get to heaven. Let us pray for them and love them the way God loves us.
We hope you have the best Valentines Day ever this 2024!
