Happy Valentine's Day and Spotlight

Howdy everyone, and happy Valentine's Day!! Let me introduce to you my new friend, Kate. She has some tips for us during this lovely holiday. Check out her adorable family and all she has to say. Ciao!

Hi JoLinda readers! My name is Kate and you can find me blogging over at Daffodils about my life in Monterey, CA with my husband and two little boys.

When Melinda and I emailed about doing a post swap, we thought it would be fun to share the ways we keep the love alive every other day of the year, not just when Hallmark is pushing us to celebrate it. So I am thrilled to be here today and to give you a sneak peek into what keep our relationship ticking.

5. Act like a newlywed, all the time. Kev and I have been together for 6 years and married for 5. We have lived in 3 different cities, gone through a 14 month separation while he was deployed and have 2 children. Despite all those distractions, I wake up everyday thankful that he is next to me and kiss him goodnight every night when we go to sleep. I think as a newlywed, you are constantly worried about pleasing the other person and doing things 'right'. I do not think that is a bad quality. Even now, I make sure the house is straightened before Kev get home and I cook dinners that I think he will enjoy. He makes coffee at night so it is already brewed for me in the morning and gives our boys a bath and gets them ready for bed so that I can have a little break at the end of the day. We spend a lot of our days doing things for each other and working to keep each other happy.

My hubby and me when we first started dating. We were so young!

4. Communicate. It is so easy to just turn on the TV and ignore each other on a Friday night. We have long, busy weeks and sometimes just zoning out is what we both want to do. But often we make a point to do just the opposite and we go to our sitting room where there is no tv, turn on some music, open a bottle of wine and just talk to the night away. The foundation of our relationship was based on communication since we dated long distance (and then he deployed a few weeks after our wedding) and we try not to take for granted the fact that we are together everyday now. Physical presence can not replace emotional presence.

3. Count your blessings. Whenever we get mad or frustrated at each other or life in general, we always take a step back and see the things we should be thankful for. When you focus on all the good in life, it is hard to stay angry.

Kev and me with blessing #1 and blessing #2

2. Spend time with each other. This may sound like a no brainer, but hear me out. It is so easy to feel pressured to map out our weekend, making plans with friends, fixing things around the house, running separate errands or having playdates for the kids. We often have to check ourselves to make sure we are taking a time out for each other. It is great to get together with friends and to fill our social calendars, but some of my favorite weekend afternoons are putting our boys down for their nap and having a lunch date at home with my hubby.

1. Remember why you fell in love. I have always been a journaler and as I get older, I am so thankful I have special moments written down. Every once in a while, I will find my journal from 2006 and re-read it. I love being able to relive the moments of falling in love with my husband and it ultimately just makes me love him more that I still feel the same way about him as I did when I was 22.

What are some of your tips for long lasting love?

Thanks for having me, Melinda!

 I hope you will pop over to Daffodils and say hello!

Isn't she just darlin'?! Don't forget to stop by her blog!
Love on someone today!
~Mel