Unity in Marriage - Couch Time

I met with my mentor yesterday who told me a great suggestion to improve our relationship. When my husband comes home from work, let him pick up the kids and give them a big hug. Then he and I go into the living room for "couch time." This is a time when we, UNINTERRUPTED by children, share about our day for 15 minutes. We're usually touching, with my legs draped over his. Kids are preferably in another room. Make couch time a BIG deal by explaining it well ahead of time: "Hey kids! Mommy and Daddy are going to do 'couch time' where we get to connect and love each other even more. You can choose to do ANYTHING you want." Ideas for the kiddos -- play with a fun toy in their room, read on their bed, play on the tablet -- whatever lets you and your husband have time to reconnect. Children know if you two are in love, they feel your unity. One of the best things you could do is let them know you are crazy about each other and that your marriage comes first.

With little kids, dinner involves feeding and kids and their needs. You try to tell each other about your day, but it's interrupted and you can't share deeply. If you've connected with couch time, you don't have to bottle up your feelings till after dinner either. You are each other's priority.

Images are of our engagement photographer whom I adore, Claire White. You can find her blog here. The fun pics are from a photoshoot featured on UtahBrideBlog (used by permission).