For the man like your dad

I'm going to tell you now, days away from your second birthday that your dad is the best man you will ever know. I knew I loved him and wanted to marry him because e is the kind of guy I would want my daughter to marry. Then I had you. One day you will go on dates and one day you will fall in love. I will always urge you to pick a man not much unlike your dad.

Your dad, although a bit of a "los kop" is brave, strong, sincere, sensitive, noble, helpful, kind, genuine, serious, smart, creative, loving, honorable, dignified, charismatic, friendly, social, honest, faithful man.

That being said - when you fall in love with a man like your dad one day. This is the advice I have for you:


Write him letters
Go on regular date nights
Write his name on lipstick on the bathroom mirror
Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
Pray together
Hide notes in secret places
Go to bed at the same time
Listen to music together-share earbuds
Send him on a scavenger hunt in the house
Buy him gifts he will love
Hide a treat in his glovebox or desk at work
Read the Bible together
Praise your spouse to other people
Let them overhear you
Read a marriage devotional
Porn-proof your home
Be best friends
Sleep in his t-shirts
Look to him to make the big decisions (see comment section for my opinion on #20, #21)
Don’t nag him
Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
Fight naked
Tell him you like him
Receive his compliments
Pick your battles
Go away together at least once a year
Frame your wedding vows
Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
Kiss in front of your kids
Make his favorite dessert
Make sex a priority
Spend time apart occasionally
Learn to enjoy something he loves
Surprise each other
Meet him at the door
Dreamstorm
Text each other from across the room
Be accountable to each other
Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
Be affectionate
Leave work and come home early
Engage every day in meaningful conversation
Compliment each other
Touch your spouse several times throughout the day
Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
Let each other sleep in
Be spontaneous!
Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
Kiss every day
Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
Forgive quickly
Be honest.
But not hurtful
Get on the same page: plan your budget together
Look your best as often as you can
Guard your marriage
Get out of debt (and stay out)
Laugh together
Have a date night in
When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
Talk about your favorite memories together
Tell him he’s sexy just because
Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it
Make him breakfast in bed - unless he is like your dad and is up at the crack of dawn!
Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
Read a book out loud together
Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids
Bring him a favorite drink during the middle of the day
Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc
Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment
Tell him a secret he doesn’t know about you
Thank your spouse just because, often
Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant
Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
Teach your kids about marriage
Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer
Create art together
Support each other’s goals
Know when to talk and when to hush
Consider counseling (even if there’s not conflict)
Doodle his name
Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)
Wear something he loves
Share furniture-sit in his lap
Fight for your marriage