A Marriage Communication Feast

Posted by Rhonda Langefeld Feb 28, 2007

My husband and I have found we need to make special time, appointments even, just to talk. Between his frequent business trips and my writing work our communication opportunities are hard pinched.

Oh, yes, we do what everyone does--use email, cell phone catch-ups, and we talk in the car enroute--but, like fast food, quick communication bites are just for when you need them. They are never meant to be a regular diet. When we allow our lives to get too busy for hours of face-to-face communication, we can be unaware that our marriage is slowly starving.

So, two days ago, Dale and I headed over to our favorite cafe with a copy of A Marriage Communication Checklist (an article on this site) and talked, really talked for two and a half hours. We started by discussing the questions under the "Physical Health" area of life, then just let the conversation follow our own hearts and minds from there.

It was like eating a gourmet meal. Dale and I felt closer to each other than we have in a while. And we made some good decisions about our relationship for the month ahead.

I was reminded of something else as we talked. The habit of conversation increases communication in a marriage just like a frequently worked muscle increases blood flow in a body. When we realize again, that our spouse is a trusted, listening ear, we open our hearts to each other more and more. Instead of tucking away that comment or concern, we decide to share.

Marriage is all about growing in love. The wedding is only the beginning, the promise, the plan to love. The day-to-day love and talk we have with each other is the carrying out of that promise. The working of that plan, day by day, month by month, year by year.

May you enjoy a feast of communication with your spouse soon and regularly. Bon Appetit!