Marriage is a beautiful thing, but just like everything else in life, it experiences different seasons; seasons of stretching, of discomfort, of joy, and of the unknown. The greatest thing about marriage is that even though those seasons will come and go, you get to experience it and get through it all with the one you love and are committed to.
Michael and I have been married for a little over a year and we’ve already experienced a few different seasons together. Right now, we’re in a season of the unknown. We don’t know where we’ll be in exactly a year from now, and while that can be exciting since our options are open, it’s also very scary and uncomfortable the majority of the time. In this season we’ve noticed that we get annoyed with each other easier than we do in others, and we’ve also realized that we’re both more sensitive than usual. What’s important to us through all of this is that we’re able to notice those issues and address them at the source, instead of letting them grow into huge, ugly problems.
Though, we’ve only been married a short time, we’ve establish some important aspects that are key to us keeping a strong marriage no matter what season we’re in. While reading scripture together and praying for one another are hugely important, I want to touch more on the little and practical ways to keep your marriage strong.
SIMPLE WAYS WE KEEP OUR MARRIAGE STRONG IN ALL SEASONS:
We Vocalize Our Appreciation // One of the greatest ways we work on keeping our marriage strong is by vocalizing our appreciation for one another. It took us a little while to figure out that vocalizing our appreciation rather than showing it was what worked better for us. Because we would show appreciation in different ways, sometimes we could feel like the other wasn’t appreciating us. I love when Michael takes out the trash without me asking him to, so I always try to respond sweetly with my words when I notice he did that for me.
Know Each Other’s Love Languages // Before getting engaged and then getting married, I didn’t really think much about love languages and the widely important role they play in relationships. I used to think they were cheesy, but they’re totally not at all. In fact, I’d go to say that it’s crucial for you both to know yours and each other’s. Michael’s top two love languages are Acts of Service and Receiving Gifts, where my top three are all tied at the opposites of his – Quality Time, Physical Touch, and Words of Affirmation. With knowing our love languages, it’s made it a little easier to be able to respond in the proper way when we want to show love or even comfort.
We Participate In Everyday Tasks Together // While adventuring and going out on dates is a great way to keep your marriage growing, doing everyday tasks together helps, too! Michael and I usually do the grocery shopping together or going to the pet store, and we’ve found that most times it makes these tasks more enjoyable and seem to fly by faster. I say most times, because you know, once in awhile we can argue over the kind of chips we’re getting, haha. In all seriousness though, I love when Michael and I get to clean up our place to have guests over. It makes cleaning way more fun!
We Constantly Encourage Each Other // We are both each other’s biggest cheerleaders and we support each other in everything we do. With encouraging each other, that means we aim to build each other up with our words and follow through with our actions. Michael is a huge supporter of my blog. He is always encouraging me to keep going after my dream and he helps me do it, too! Michael and I are both sensitive people somedays, so we know that saying encouraging phrases about our appearance or our attitude is huge.
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We Genuinely Ask How Each Other Is Doing // Now, this may seem like a given, but over my years of observing other relationships, I’ve noticed that it’s not a given for everyone. But, I think it should be. By going our of our way to as each other how we’re really doing shows each other that we truly care and want to be there no matter what. By asking this questions, we’re also opening up the safe zone that it’s okay to vent or even cry, if needed.
We Let Each Other Vent // I feel like venting has such a bad connotation assumed with it, but I think venting is very healthy; of course within the proper parameters. What I love about marriage is that we always have each other’s back, even if we don’t 100% agree with the other. That’s how marriage works for us – we support no matter what. The important thing to remember for us when the other is venting is that sometimes we just need the other to listen and not respond with words. I can honestly say that having Michael to vent to about anything has been hugely comforting for me.
We Show Our Love For God Together // Michael and I are both followers of Jesus Christ and it’s something that we’re not ashamed of. While we love doing ministry together, we also love just being completely relational and sharing our love for God that way. Because of our aim to live a relational Christian life, I was so excited to find the Here Below. The Here Below is a gospel-driven, truth-proclaiming lifestyle brand built on quality design and apparel, and I am so glad to be partnering with them today. Style is important to Michael and I, and if we can find apparel that is about proclaiming Jesus in a creative way, we’re all about it. Wearing our shirts from Here Below help us to always have the opportunity to strike up a conversation with anyone. For more on Here Below, see the bottom of the post!
We Show Each Other Grace // Grace upon grace…it’s how we have to live our lives and live out out marriage. We are not perfect people at all and sometimes we fail one another, but that’s when we have to let grace take the next step and help each other to forgive. Grace doesn’t always make sense or feel good, but grace always wins. Is it always easy for Michael to show grace to me when I’m hangry and giving a nasty attitude to him that he doesn’t deserve? Nope! But when extends it anyway, it’s a humbling and growing moment for the both of us.
The Here Below is by far one of my favorite apparel brands that’s built on a Christian lifestyle. I love that all of their apparel is thoughtfully designed and uniquely crafted, plus I love the fact that the material they’re made from is really soft. Michael’s “Steadfast” tee is one of his go-to favorites, as the color and comfort of the tee is like no other. I had to grab this tank that reads “Soli Deo Gloria” in this gorgeous typography, as this means one of my favorite phrases…”Glory to God alone” in Latin.
If you are unashamed of the gospel, Here Below is for you.
If you appreciate soft, comfortable clothing, Here Below is for you.
If you appreciate good design and typography, Here Below is for you.
If you want to boldly proclaim your commitment to the truth of God’s Word, Here Below is for you.
If you’re married, what are some ways you and your spouse keep your marriage strong in every season? What tips to do you have? Is there any small little thing that makes a world of difference for you and your spouse! If you’re not married yet, what is one thing you really want to implement one day in your marriage? Let’s chat, friends!
DISCLAIMER: THANK YOU TO THE HERE BELOW FOR SPONSORING THIS POST. AS ALWAYS, I ONLY PROMOTE PRODUCTS AND BRANDS THAT I LOVE AND BELIEVE IN, AND OF COURSE, THINK YOU’LL LOVE, AS WELL.