“What’ve we got going on this weekend?” my husband asked midweek, dropping his bag by the front door. He looked weary from a long day at work. “Well, we promised the kids a family movie on Friday. Then your parents are coming up on Saturday and we have church and the kids’ swim practice on Sunday. Oh, and we invited our neighbors over for a bonfire that evening.” My husband sighed. I stood beside him and rubbed his shoulder. “Let’s carve out some time for just you and me Saturday night,” I said. “Maybe drinks on the patio?” He cracked a small smile.
Every weekend has something going on these days. But we shouldn’t let days slip by without making time for our husbands. It’s good for our relationships. In 10 years, when my kids have moved out and gone to college, I want to know my husband is still my best friend and not just a stranger living with me. Here are 5 reasons you should prioritize quality time with your spouse now.
1. It shows him you value your relationship with him.
“Are you coming down soon?” my husband called. I could hear the impatience in his voice, so I kissed my daughter goodnight. When I found him in the kitchen with all the dishes washed and put away, his eyes said: Don’t you want to spend time with me?
The kids are important and spending time with them at bedtime is valuable. But so is time spent with our husbands. Not every evening will be perfect, but our husbands shouldn’t constantly get shortchanged. “Hey,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. “What do you want to do now?”
2. It lets you reconnect and catch up.
My husband and I have been married almost two decades. We’re different people now than in our 20s! But one thing we’ve done from the beginning is take walks together. Most mornings, after the kids have gone to school, we have about 10 minutes to head down the street with our dog and back before we start our days. I treasure those walks with him!
Find some time each day to connect with your husband even if it’s only 10 minutes. Many evenings I see my neighbor Krista and her husband sitting in Adirondack chairs in their back yard, chatting while their son plays. How do you and your husband catch up?
Find some time each day to connect with your husband even if it’s only 10 minutes. Click To Tweet3. It helps you stay tuned to the changes that sneak up.
My husband’s not unrecognizable from our wedding photos. In fact, except for a few gray hairs, he looks pretty much the same. But his internal makeup’s different and so’s mine. We’ve gone through so much together from child emergencies to cross-country moves. But I can tell you he’s a wiser, more experienced dad than 14 years ago when we had our son. And I’d like to think I’m a better mom.
My husband and I plan meals together on Wednesday evenings and we keep tabs on each other’s fitness routines. Because we like to do ordinary things together, we’re pretty in sync. What are the day-to-day things you and your husband like to do together? Quality time with your spouse doesn’t always have to be exciting to keep you in tune with each other.
4. It shows the kids you value each other.
Whenever the grandparents visit, my husband and I make sure we get a meal on the town together. And now that the kids are older, we sometimes head out for an evening stroll—just the two of us. One Saturday morning last month, we even went to a fancy breakfast place alone. We want the kids to know we love each other and love spending time together. It gives kids a sense of security.
I like to do one-one-one time with my son and daughter. But quality time with my spouse tells not only my husband that he’s important but conveys that message directly to the kids too.
5. It gives you a break.
Most mornings are busy with getting the kids off to school or to some sort of activity. But on Sunday mornings before church, I like to get up with my husband and spend time with him while the kids sleep. We’ll make coffee and read the newspaper together as the sun rises over the trees in our back yard. It’s peaceful with just the two of us and I enjoy it very much. For a couple hours, I’m putting myself and my relationship with my husband first.
Quality time with your spouse matters. It’s good for your husband. But don’t forget, it’s good for you too.
What is one way you like to spend quality time with your spouse?
