With Valentine’s Day past us, a lot of couples are now thinking they’re off the hook until next year. Smarter couples know that’s not necessarily the case. They know they’re only off the hook until the next special occasion, like a birthday or an anniversary. But the smartest couples out there? They know love isn’t meant to be celebrated just on holidays, special occasions and events. They understand love is a blessing that should be celebrated every day of our lives. They have discovered the simple ways to express love throughout the year, and I’m here to spill the beans with you today!
I’ll start out by letting you know that my husband and I don’t do big holiday gifts. In fact, our first Christmas together we agreed to only spend $20 on each other and actually stuck to our agreement. Although I do remember some of the more expensive gifts my husband has given me over the years, it’s been the little gifts that I’ve appreciated the most. The special note hidden in my make-up drawer, a hand-picked rose at lunchtime, a sweet card on just an ordinary day…those are the small gifts that have made my heart melt. Why? Because they have been unexpected, every day tokens of his love for me. They have shown me that I’ve been on his mind, and not just because of a cheesy holiday commercial on television.
While some of us are better than others when it comes to doing the unexpected for our spouses and loved ones, there’s always room for improvement. I’m here to help you today with a list of simple ways to express your love not just on holidays, but throughout the year. So go ahead and mark a random date on your calendar for each month of the year and commit to doing one of these 12 simple tasks for no specific reason other than just because…
12 Simple Ways to Express Love
#1 – Get to work!
An easy way to show your love to someone is to help her/him out with a chore. Do the dishes, mow the lawn, vacuum the house, do the laundry, whatever you want to do to lighten your loved one’s workload. I love it when my hubby makes the bed, fills the car up with gas or folds the laundry for me.
#2 – Participate in an activity he/she likes.
Take time out of your schedule to participate in an activity your loved one likes to do. It can be a sport, a hobby, any activity you can enjoy together. Every now and then I offer to go play disc-golf with my husband, or he volunteers to watch my favorite movie. It shows that even though we may have different interests, we can still support one another.
#3 – Just say no to electronics.
Yes, I said it. Put down the remote, smartphone or tablet and focus all of your attention on your loved one. Ask about his/her day and make the effort to really listen to what he/she is saying.
#4 – Cook (or order in) a favorite meal.
You know they say the way to the heart is through the stomach. I’m not sure if I agree, but I know my hubby likes it when I cook a meal especially for him. So if you’re good in the kitchen get cooking, but if you’re not go ahead and order take-out. My favorite days are the Saturdays when my husband cooks me pancakes. 🙂
#5 – Buy (or make) a spontaneous gift.
Give your loved one a small gift, for no special reason other than to show your love. Whether you decide to buy his/her favorite candy or that special something he/she has been wanting for months, you’ll be making the extra effort to express your love. My hubby recently brought me home a bag of Butterfingers and deserves the husband of the year award in my opinion.
#6 – Write a love note.
You can write it in a card, on a post it, it doesn’t really matter where. OK, I know not everyone likes to write love notes…if you’d prefer you can send a text. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just a simple sentence or two expressing your undying love for all eternity.
#7 – Offer your assistance with something.
I love it when my hubby asks if he can help with something I’m working on. It shows his interest in what I’m doing, plus gives him the chance to show me his skills. Even if it looks like he/she has it under control, still ask…you might be surprised at the answer you get. You’ll have the perfect opportunity for some one-on-one time while you’re working together.
#8 – Give your loved one a verbal compliment.
OK, some of you might do this often, but I’m not talking about an everyday, “You’re beautiful” or, “You look handsome.” Dig a little deeper and tell your loved one something you really admire about him/her (work ethic, compassion, etc.). Explain what you love about him/her and I guarantee you’ll see a smile…or maybe a happy tear. (You get bonus points if you do it in front of someone else.)
#9 – Reach out with a touch.
A simple hug, reach for the hand, hand on the knee, or back rub can speak volumes when you’re having a hard day. Maybe even a little massage if you’re feeling generous…
#10 – Offer your encouragement.
Encourage him/her to pursue his/her dreams. Whether it’s starting a blog, taking a photography class, or teaching a class, give your loved one the encouragement and support to move forward and reach his/her goals. You wouldn’t even be reading this if my hubby hadn’t encouraged me to start this blog!
#11 – Ask for advice.
Let your loved one know how much you value his/her opinion by asking for advice about something. Listen intently and say thanks for his/her input.
#12 – Plan something fun.
Plan a fun date, a weekend getaway, an afternoon activity, it really doesn’t matter what as long as it’s something you can do together. Knowing you went through the trouble to plan something special will show your love more than you know.
These are just 12 simple ways to express your love, but there are many, many more. What are some ways you like to express your love to others?
Leave a Reply