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5 Things You Should Do Before Your Next Anniversary

On our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me with a trip to Paris. He pretended he was leaving for work and then walked back inside the house and asked, in French, “Would you like to go to Paris today?” A few hours later, we were on our way.

We were both older when we got married, so we had money saved for adventures like that. In the 15 years since, we’ve had children, bills, and real life. No more trips to Paris! You might have Paris-like wedding anniversary ideas, but if you’re not making the most of the days in between, you’re missing out on the good stuff. Here are 5 things to do before your next anniversary rolls around.

Challenge yourself.30 day marriage challenge

It is so easy to take our husbands for granted, to get irritated at them for things that are minor and don’t really matter. So, before my anniversary, I’m going to take iMOM’s 30-Day Marriage Challenge. I’m looking at it right now. Laugh with your husband today. Thank him. Do something to improve his health. Todays focus: love.

Challenge yourself to see your husband in a new light, or at least shine a light on his good qualities.

Be real with him.

My husband once said something very hurtful to me. It made me wonder how many more anniversaries we would share. For months, I didn’t ask him about it. I worried constantly, but I was afraid to question him, afraid to hear an answer I didn’t want. Finally, I got real with him: “If you plan on leaving me when our children are grown, I need to know.”

He told me he hadn’t meant what he said, and that he’d only said it in anger. If there are things you’re afraid to talk about with your husband, get as real as you can before your next anniversary.

Frame an old photo.

Here’s an easy one! Find an old photo of the two of you, frame it, and hang it on the wall. Studies show that seeing photos of happy times makes us happier. It will also ignite fond feelings for your husband every time you see it.

Dream.

If money were no object, if vacation time were no object, if childcare were no object—what would you and your husband love to do together? Ask him: If we could go anywhere in the world, and do anything we wanted, where would you go? And if we had 24 free hours to spend together locally, how would you want to spend it? Dreaming together can reveal a side of yourself to your husband that he might not already know. And sharing dreams builds hope for the future.

Face your finances.

One of the best wedding anniversary ideas will cost you nothing and could actually make you money: Examine your finances. iMOM founder Susan Merrill said she wishes she had done it much earlier in her marriage. “Most of the spending in my family is in my hands. So I had a major say in our family’s long-term financial plans. Which is the point I am getting to—the long-term plans. I did not have one.

If you want to celebrate your next wedding anniversary with a sense of freedom, face your finances today. Even if you know things aren’t good, having a plan will make you feel much better. Here are three things you can do this week to get started.

What is one thing you can do between today and your next anniversary to fall more in love with your husband?

ASK YOUR CHILD...

What are three things we can do this week to make our family happier?

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