Guarding the Heart of Your Marriage

 Fairly fresh to the empty nest years, our hearts are a jumble of mixed emotion! Nevertheless, we are learning to intentionally seize the moments and have fun in this new stage of life! The key to growth and happiness, as in any stage, is being willing to flex and try new things.

Some ideas we've tried that you might find helpful too:

1)  Turn off the TV, listen to music, and read a good book together.

2)  Put on some music and dance! Check out an instruction video from the library and learn in your living room. No one else will see you there unless the neighbors peek through your window. You might want to pull the blinds.

3)  If you're brave and rise to the challenge, sign up for a dance class. Many places offer one or two introductory sessions for a minimal fee.

4)  Purpose to participate at some level in your spouse's hobby or interest. Go to the golf course to watch your spouse hit a ball or two. Then read your book or sketch (like Eileen does). Or browse an antique store or take a picnic to the park to eat and read (like Chuck does with Eileen).

5)  Now that the house is empty, take your sex life to the next level! Savor special moments by getting creative with foreplay. With a little purposeful (cause we all know it usually doesn't just happen) thought and planning, you can enhance your love life. Song of Solomon in the Bible is a great instruction manual! When you purpose to fan the flames, the fire for one another will grow.

A good marriage doesn't just happen, no matter what stage of life we are in. THE EMPTY NEST YEARS can be the best years yet, but we're discovering that we have to be intentional about investing in our marriage.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was right when she wrote to husband, Robert: Come and grow old with me, the best is yet to be.

We are finding her words to be true. We wouldn't trade this bittersweet autumn of life for all the springtimes in the world!