My husband and I celebrated our sixth anniversary this past January. I think with age, learning from past mistakes, and knowing the importance of communication has made our relationship stronger because it’s been a wonderful six years. We are in the midst of realizing one of our biggest goals in the next few months.
No matter how good a relationship is, there are days when we’re tired, have a lower tolerance level than normal, or just can’t get on the same page. Recently, we were having one of those days. Wondering how to achieve a reboot, I came up with an idea. I made a list with 25 blank spaces and titled it, “Things I Love About My Spouse.” I made two copies and handed one to my husband and began filling one out myself.
While listing the reasons I love my husband, it made me realize how much I adore that man of mine. The list went fast and as each thing came to mind, my heart began to swell. Thinking my husband may not take it as seriously as I did, it was a surprise when he handed me his completed list within an hour. Not only did he fill out the 25 blank lines, he added a few. It was one of those feel good moments and it brought us closer together.
Our ‘love list’ reminded me of a poem we had read at our wedding. It just tied it all together.
LOVE – By Roy Croft
I love you.
Not only for what you are, but for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you.
Not only for what you have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you.
For the part of me That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things that you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.
I love you because you
Are helping me to make of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern, But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach, but a song.
I love you
Because you have done more than any creed
Could have done to make me happy.
You have done it.
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
I love you, Mike.
I’ve always loved that poem. Our previous pastor at church used to say this when doing a wedding ceremony: Love each other for who you are; forgive each other for who you are not. Man! I thought that was the best advice. And congratulations on six wonderful years! Here’s to many more!!!
Thank you so much! The poem is beautiful and has always been special to me. Your pastor gave wonderful advice!
A love list! Beautiful! I have to remember that! (I’m not in a relationship now!)
Peace,
Tamara
I think it would work with any relationship: friend, family, or significant other. Sometimes we just need reminded of why we love someone, but it is also gratifying to hear why someone loves us.
Wonderful poem, belated happy anniversary to you both, my wife and I celebrated our 14th in February gone, sometimes I could kill her, sometimes she could kill me but we share more good times than bad and that’s why we’re still going strong. Enjoy your life together and remember the bad times make you appreciate the good times more xo
Very, very good advice. Thank you so much. Happy belated anniversary to you, too (and I hope she doesn’t kill you any time soon!). 🙂
Me too xo
Congratulations 🙂 Nice idea, the love list. And the poem is just beautiful !
Thank you!
What a beautiful idea. It really is amazing (and quite simple) how thinking of all the reasons you are grateful for someone or something, only makes you MORE grateful. Beautiful post 🙂
Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
What a nice poem! Happy anniversary! My husband and I celebrated 5 years this month.
We are all practically newlyweds! 🙂 Happy anniversary to you, too!
What a beautiful post and way to keep ones love. Thanks for sharing!
What a great way to add that bit of spice into the relationship….my husband and I added the TCC into our wedding vows….Trust, Communication and Compromise….the base for our marriage….and we have gong back to the TCC many times to help get us through a difficult situation……but isn’t love grand!!! kat
I love the TCC concept! What a wonderful idea. Love is grand, and I’m so blessed! Sounds like you are, too. Thank you, Kat! Dawn
your welcome.. and yep, I am blessed for sure…..kat
Congratulations on your 6th anniversary. And whatever your plan involves, I hope it’s everything that you both hope for. We celebrated 24 years last month, and I can honestly say that it doesn’t feel like 5 minutes. Wishing you all the best for the future.
More blogging ahead regarding the plan. Congratulations on 24 years! I’m so happy for you!
Thank you, that’s really kind of you x
Beautiful! What a great exercise to get those loving feelings flowing freely again. We all get cross-wise some days when we just can’t quite connect, and taking time to remember all the good things reopens the lines of communication. I can imagine how happy you were when he presented you with his list too! I wish you many more years of sharing blessings. together!
Josie
from Josie’s Journal
Thank you, Josie!
Wow! Has it been 6 years already??? We are going on 3! seems impossible! I love the idea of the love list! Darlene and I rarely even have a disagreement, except for which one loves the other more. lol Every once in a while, when she is having a high pain day she will get a little snippy, but I recognise it for it is and move on,
I have never seen that poem before but I love it! It encompasse! the way we feel for each other. We are very blessed to have found our soul mates in each other, especially this late in life, Wonderful post! I am very slow in responding to these posts of your but am so enjoying the reads!! Love ya Sister!! Hugs