The Thursday Jar

How do you spice up your marriage?

Years and years ago, I had an older friend, Harry, who became a bit of a mentor.  We’d met through our respective consulting businesses.  He’d been around the block more times than I had, and he possessed something I lacked — wisdom.  Harry had a way of distilling life and relationships down to a few raw essentials.

Even today, I can hear him saying …
“Robert, when it comes to the opposite sex, there are just three things you need to remember:  Lift heavy things, make her laugh, and …”

“Harry, didn’t you say there were three things?”

“Harry?”

“You’ll figure it out.”

Over the years, my formula has veered somewhat from Harry’s: stealing my wife away for romantic getaways, taking her on regular dates, continuing to make her laugh. But then, there’s this jar.

For anyone who’s watched the “Endeavour” series, this guy’s mug will be familiar.  Inspector Thursday is his name.

Melissa and I go out on most of our dates on Thursdays.  Been doing it for years.  I can’t recall why, but it became embedded in our rhythm.

But, when we’re home on a Thursday, we have the “Thursday Jar” …

When one of us isn’t in the room, the other secretly scribbles creative, romantic or racy suggestions for Thursday evening activities, and drops them into the jar.  Anything is fair game — as long as it contributes to a closer relationship.  Once a week we pull one out in an excruciatingly drawn out exercise. Surprise is part of the deal.

“Robert, why do most of these seem to be your suggestions?”

“Gosh, Melissa, I can’t understand it.”

Marriages need regular injections of romance and fun and surprises and laughter.  Keeping marriages fresh takes intentional effort and creativity.  But every ounce of energy invested in this most important human relationship spills over into the rest of the house, the neighbourhood, the community and eventually the common good.  A great place to start is at your house.

How do you spice up your marriage?

Blessings on your home,
robert

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