More often than we realize it’s the simple everyday things that make the biggest difference in a marriage. Here’s an easy one for you to try: Encourage your spouse to do something that’s important to them.
I had a chance to do that on a summer vacation my family took to Glacier National Park in Montana. We all hiked to a place called Hidden Lake. It was spawning season for the trout, and the bears were especially active. We were stopped several hundred yards away, but from where we were, we could still see the bears splashing through the water hunting for fish.
I should say my boys and I could see them. My wife, Jean, is nearsighted, and we didn’t have our binoculars. She couldn’t see anything.
That was a huge disappointment for Jean who loves animals. In fact, she wanted to go back the next day. The problem was we had already scheduled a fishing trip. But I knew it was important to her, so I encouraged her to go back on her own.
The next morning, she hiked back to the lake – this time with binoculars – and spent the whole day watching the bears. When she got back later that night, she was exhausted, but she said it was one of the best days of her life.
That moment drew Jean and I closer together. She felt valued, and it made me happy to see her so happy.
Encourage your spouse to get out there and do something that’s important to him or her. It’s a simple way to let them know that they are important to you.
