Marriage enrichment: Reignite the spark to enrich a marriage

Try breaking old habits, traditions once in a while and other tips to keep the romance alive

My husband and I are celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary this month. Somewhere along the line we began a tradition of going out to dinner and a movie to celebrate our anniversary. This is a wonderful idea on paper but the truth of the matter is my husband has managed to pick all the movies we have seen on our wonderful anniversary dates.

Over the years I have celebrated my wedding anniversary by watching movies such as Unforgiven, Braveheart, or The Ghost and the Darkness.

These movies might all be fine films but they don’t exactly scream romance. Since it is almost time to enjoy our special night out again I have been contemplating how this “tradition” ever got started.

I think it began when we were raising our children and life was hectic. This was an easy date night to squeeze into the week when we were able to arrange for a babysitter.

Easy became a habit and the habit was renamed our “tradition” of going out to dinner and watching an intense movie every August. Habits don’t need to be bad in order for us to consider changing them.

I recently was listening to the radio while driving in the car and heard the radio host suggest a few easy changes to enrich marriages.

One key idea was to break some of your old dating habits with your spouse. I found the suggestions simple and intriguing. There are many books and articles available that offer advice on how you can reignite the spark in your marriage.

Many of these sources suggest that by changing some old routines couples can create new, fun memories to share. What if it really is as simple as changing a few of your current dating habits with your spouse? See what you think about the suggestions listed below. Give them a try if you think they might enrich your marriage.

Below are three suggestions to help you get started.

1. Go to a new restaurant. Make sure that “our place” isn’t just code for being too lazy to think about and look into a new restaurant.

2. Invite a new couple out to dinner. This can generate new and different conversations and help you develop new friendships that can enrich both of your marriages.

3. Investigate a new place in your city. Exploring a new exhibit or a different part of town may lead to an adventure that you will always remember.

Maybe this year I will decide what we do on our anniversary date. I’m thinking a new and different restaurant for sure, and then maybe a play. I hope my husband is ready for that Thai food and a musical comedy!

 

Mrs. Christiana is coordinator of the diocesan Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Office.