It’s a challenge: try something new – it’ll make you a “keeper”!
Everyday Robert and I are seeing couples enjoying life. They’re no longer raising their children, and most are not working full time anymore, (or they could be on holidays) but they are exploring new experiences.
Together.
When I chat with these couples about their relationships, after a little while they’ll chuckle, and nod, then say,
“Yup. He’s a keeper!”
Or “She’s a keeper!”
They’re referring to the fact that they want to keep on enjoying life… together.
Most of these couples are trying new things. They’re playing euchre with other couples for the first time. Or they’ve bought a tandem motorcycle (two or three-wheeler) and are doing a drive with other motor-cycle couples or they’re volunteering in soup-kitchens. Some have gathered a “band” together to play the songs from their teenage years, and so many other activities.
The key?
They’re doing these new activities together.
And before you wonder, not all things are perfect in these couples’ lives. Sometimes they’re battling health challenges. Sometimes they’re grieving over their adult children, sometimes they’re really scrimping to make ends-meet. Not all things are going well… Yet. They’re still moving forward to try new things – to explore and challenge themselves.
Here’s your challenge: find something new to do with your spouse this weekend!
Then, when you get to the point of life that these couples are experiencing, you too will refer to your spouse as he/she’s “a keeper”!
It’s within your ability. Really.
It doesn’t take any money to
- play a new game with another couple
- volunteer your time to a good cause
- bake cookies together and deliver them to another couple
- check out your city guide to see what free events are happening
- take someone else’s dog for a walk
- play frisbee
- take a road-trip just for the day
- watch a YouTube video to learn how to juggle, or try some magic tricks
- take your camera or smart phones and do a digital photo “hunt” (articles from A-Z)
- learn some origami to impress your next dinner guests
- visit a musical instrument store and try out some unfamiliar instruments
- go to church on Sunday – or a worship service on Saturday/Sunday night
- go geo-caching
What new thing are you going to do with your spouse this weekend?
Got anything to add to the list? Leave a comment!
Great ideas all. I could not agree ore. The Marriage Project at Rutgers University states that the coupoes w.ith the best chance at success have as many things in common as possible but especially faith and politics.
Kudos on a great post
Thanks, John. And I believe it’s never too late to begin engaging in (or discovering) those common activities – regardless of the length of a couple’s marriage – one year – 10, or 40…
If my husband had his way, we would go out and do some target shooting together. We do do that sometimes, but it’s not my favorite and he knows that. Instead we usually go on a walk, stopping by the gas station to get a drink to share and just talk as we walk around town. That’s both of our favorite’s.
Target shooting, huh? It’s good that you join him even if it’s not your own favorite. (I’m guessing you get extra points ’cause he knows it’s not your fav.) Walking and talking together sounds like a great time to connect. Thanks for stopping in!
A good list, I am trying to talk my husband into taking up disc golf. We have a course right down the road and it seems like something kind of fun and easy to do together. This weekend though we went and strolled the farmers market and walked on down to the pier to check out our local marine life. It wasn’t something new, but something we enjoyed.
I’ve heard of Disc golf – sounds like something to try! Rob and I enjoy the Farmer’s markets also. Thanks for sharing, KC!