Compared to many couples, we have not been married that long, but we are approaching eight years now and it definitely seems as though the novelty has worn off.  Add to this the fact that we just had another baby, and I am beginning to notice how little time my husband and I spend enjoying each other’s company anymore.  I have also noticed how little we stop and smile at each other, and it got me thinking that in this New Year, perhaps we should prioritize those little things a little more.

It doesn’t make sense that a stranger should receive more courtesy than my own husband, but in our busy day to day living, that is often the case.  No matter how long they have been married, couples should always put forth effort to notice and appreciate one another.  A simple but genuine smile can make all the difference to a harried spouse, especially at the end of a difficult day.

When your spouse walks through the door, do you greet them warmly and show them how much you appreciate their presence?  I know I often fail to remember even that smallest of courtesies.  It certainly is not because I don’t appreciate my husband, but I am so busy and tired that I often forget how much it can mean to offer a smile or encouraging word.

So next time your spouse comes home or walks into the same room as you, offer them a genuine smile and see just how much that simple act can brighten their day, because our days are too numbered to forget the little things that mean the most.