Life doesn’t slow down and these days the schedules are filling up quickly. Between three kids, four businesses, sports, school, work, travel and everything else in between, Sal and I could probably find a million reasons to put spending time with each other on the back burner. But one thing I have always been very intentional about is making sure our marriage stays a priority and at the very top of our to-do list.
You may be shocked when I tell you, Sal and our marriage comes first. Yes, even over our babies. Before we were mom and dad, it was just Sal and me. Our family started with just the two of us, and eventually when our babies are grown and building lives of their own, it will be just the two of us again. I never want to get so busy and caught up in life that we forget to continue building US!!
If you know me, you know I LOVE a good date night! Sal and I try to make time every week to do something together. Sometimes it’s dinner at one of our favorite spots, other times it’s a round of golf, an early morning walk, a day at the farm or simply squeezing in time together after the kids are in bed that we can talk, laugh, and dream together.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy! The important part is that we are intentional about making the time to be present with each other. No excuses! Life will ALWAYS give you a reason to skip it. The kids have something going on. Your work schedule is crazy. You’re overly tired. The house is a disaster. Trust me, I totally get it! But I can honestly say we never regret making that time for each other.
Marriage takes work and I don’t mean that in a negative way. Anything in life that is important to you deserves your time, attention and effort, and your marriage is certainly no different.
Sal is my best friend, my biggest supporter and truly my partner in everything. We both have big dreams and careers that we are passionate about and I think one of the most important parts of our relationship is continuing to support each other as we grow and evolve.
Of course my babies are my entire world, but one of the greatest things I believe Sal and I can give them is the example of a strong, loving marriage. It’s the foundation of our family. I want them to grow up seeing their mom and dad love each other, laugh together, support each other, go on dates, show affection, work through hard situations and genuinely enjoy doing life together. Someday, when they have relationships and families of their own, I hope they know what it looks like to love someone, respect them and continue showing up for them.
I always say, ‘be where your feet are’ and that holds true to my marriage as well. When Sal and I spend time together, I want to actually BE together. Not thinking about tomorrow’s schedule, checking my emails or mentally running through my to-do list. And don’t get me wrong, I definitely don’t get this right 100% of the time but none of us do!
At the end of the day, a great marriage doesn’t just happen. It takes intention. You have to pour into it. So, make that reservation, go on a little date night, put the phones away, and always kiss each other goodnight. Keep choosing each other.
XO,
Racquel
