Marriage is a journey filled with love, challenges, and daily opportunities to connect. As a married man with two kids, I’ve found that showing appreciation daily isn’t just a nice gesture. It’s essential for keeping our relationship strong and fulfilling. Life can get busy with work, parenting, and chores, but those little acts of gratitude can make a world of difference.
In this post, I’ll share simple, practical ways to show appreciation in your marriage every day, drawing from my own experiences and insights to help you navigate love, life, and everything in-between for stronger connections.
10 Simple Ways to Show Daily Appreciation in Your Marriage
Here are some easy ways to show appreciation, each backed by personal examples and tailored for daily life.
- Verbal Affirmation: Say “thank you” for small tasks, like making coffee or doing the laundry. For example, when my wife cooks dinner after a long day, I always acknowledge her effort. it’s not just about the food, but her thoughtfulness. Sometimes, specificity matters more. Instead of a generic “Thanks for dinner,” try, “The way you seasoned that chicken was next level.
- Physical Touch: A hug or kiss in the morning sets a positive tone. I once forgot my goodbye kiss, and my wife texted me later, saying it made her day less bright. A reminder to never skip these moments.
A hand on their shoulder while they’re washing dishes. A playful squeeze of the hand during a Netflix binge. Physical touch releases oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), and it doesn’t need to lead to anything. It’s just a quiet “I’m here.” - Quality Time: Turn off your phone during dinner to focus on each other. Oftentimes we are physically present but we are not actually present because we are talking on the phone with others, texting, or distracted. Learn to make it a me and you time without any distractions.
- Acts of Service: Do a chore your spouse dislikes, like folding laundry. That’s love with a capital L. It’s not about the chore, it’s about saying, “I pay attention to what weighs on you.”
- Surprise Gestures: Leave a love note in their lunchbox or send a funny meme during the day. I arranged a quiet evening with grandparents once, and it was a hit for reconnecting.
- Involving Kids: Encourage your children to express gratitude, like my daughter drawing cards for her mom or my son helping with chores. It fosters family appreciation.
- Shared Interests: Join in activities your spouse loves, even if not your favorite. I’m not a hiker, but I go with my wife sometimes, showing I support her passions.
- Public Recognition: Praise your spouse in front of others, like congratulating her work promotion at a dinner. It makes them feel proud and loved.
- Gratitude Journal: Write down things you appreciate monthly and share them. My wife and I started this, and it’s enlightening to see the small things we notice about each other. Sometimes, you may not have to wait till the month ends. You can do them daily or weekly.
- The “Remember When…” Reminiscence: Share a memory that highlights their strengths. For example: “Remember when you stayed up all night fixing my presentation? That’s when I knew I’d married a problem-solver.” Nostalgia isn’t just for anniversaries, it reinforces why you chose each other.
Conclusion
Like any habit, daily appreciation takes practice. It’s easy to fall into autopilot, especially after years together. But as my wife often reminds me when I forget to refill the coffee beans (oops), It’s the trying that counts. Marriage isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, again and again, in the smallest, truest ways.
So, start today. Pick one tip. Text that specific compliment. Load the dishwasher their way. And remember: the best marriages aren’t built on rare fireworks. They’re built on everyday sparks.
