EP 53. Holiday Romance; Making Time For Each Other
The important point of our discussion revolves around the concept of holiday romance and its significance in nurturing the bond between spouses during the festive season. As we navigate the hustle and bustle that characterizes this time of year, it is imperative that we intentionally carve out moments to reconnect with our spouses, thereby fostering an atmosphere of love and affection. Throughout our dialogue, we explore various practical strategies for enhancing romance, from spontaneous coffee breaks to tender gestures amidst the chaos of holiday preparations. We emphasize the importance of maintaining an attitude of playfulness and joy, which allows couples to embrace the spirit of the season while deepening their emotional connection. Join us as we delve into these insights and encourage you to prioritize your relationship, ensuring that the joy of the holidays extends beyond mere festivities to cultivate enduring love.
The focus of this podcast episode revolves around the theme of holiday romance, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one's marital relationship amidst the busyness of the holiday season. Greg and Linda Smith, your hosts, provide valuable insights into creating moments of intimacy and connection during this time of year. They underscore the necessity of intentionality in fostering romance, suggesting that couples engage in shared activities, whether it be cooking together or simply taking a moment to enjoy a cup of coffee amidst the hustle and bustle. The hosts encourage listeners to be present with their partners, highlighting that a little effort can significantly enhance the quality of time spent together, transforming ordinary moments into cherished memories.
Throughout the discussion, the Smiths reference biblical principles that advocate for joy and connection in marriage, urging couples to embrace the spirit of the season with open hearts. They offer practical advice, such as finding stolen moments to reconnect, engaging in playful flirtation, and making plans for special dates. The message is clear: amidst the holiday chaos, couples should not lose sight of their relationship but rather use this time to rekindle their love and affection for one another. By prioritizing holiday romance, partners can emerge from the season not just intact, but more united than before.
Taking intentional steps to strengthen their bond is paramount, especially as they navigate the demands of the holiday season. The episode culminates in a call to action for couples to enjoy the holidays together, fostering an atmosphere of love and joy that will not only benefit their own marriage but also serve as a beacon of hope and affection for others around them.
Takeaways:
- Investing time in your marriage through intentional moments can significantly enhance your connection.
- During the holidays, prioritize romance by setting aside time for each other amidst the busyness.
- Engaging in small yet meaningful gestures, such as a quick hug or a kiss, fosters intimacy in your relationship.
- Creating a holiday romance to-do list can serve as a delightful way to keep the spark alive during the festive season.
- Make the most of spontaneous opportunities for affection, even in the midst of holiday chaos.
- Practicing public displays of affection can not only strengthen your bond but also inspire others to cherish love in their own relationships.
Links referenced in this episode:
- www.marriedandloveit.com
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/LFxOu11
Website: www.marriedandloveit.com
Our email: marriedandloveit1977@gmail.com
Facebook private group: search for married and love it.
Ecclesiastes 9:9-10; Ephesians 5:15-16; Song of Solomon 7:11-12; Genesis 26:8
Married and Love It phone number/voicemail/text 919-984-270-6062
00:00 - Untitled
00:05 - Introduction to the Podcast
01:31 - Holiday Romance: Prioritizing Connection During the Festive Season
11:28 - Creating Moments of Holiday Romance
23:26 - Let Your Love Shine
27:55 - Showing Affection During the Holidays
33:27 - Holiday Romance Tips
Foreign.
Speaker BWelcome to the Married and Love It Podcast.
Speaker BWe are Greg and Linda Smith, your host from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Speaker BIt's great that you are taking time to invest into your marriage by listening to our weekly podcast.
Speaker AThe goal of our podcast is to provide you with a weekly dose of marriage teaching to help you stay focused on your marriage.
Speaker ASee it as freshening up your marriage, preventive maintenance, a marriage tune up or fan in the flame of romance, love and passion.
Speaker AWell, you can even call it continuing education.
Speaker BWe will be covering everything that has to do with your marriage including hot topics like sex, communication, love and much, much more.
Speaker BOur teachings are based on Christian principles plus over 47 years of marriage and ministry experience.
Speaker AWe want to help you make your marriage great by teaching you how to be married and love it.
Speaker BIt is an honor and privilege to have you join us.
Speaker AHey, glad you joined us today to get the weekly dose of Married and Lovett, your marriage Booster Shop for the Week and you know what?
Speaker AI know this is a busy time of the year and it's holiday time and today's episode is holiday romance.
Speaker ASo hats off to you for taking the time in this busy time to make your marriage a priority and to get your booster shot for the week.
Speaker AHoliday romance Making time for each other.
Speaker BAnd I am excited about this one.
Speaker BI love Christmas.
Speaker BI love Thanksgiving, I love the whole holiday season and God's got good things in store for everybody regardless of where you're at.
Speaker BJust allow the love of Jesus to come out this holiday season.
Speaker BIf you are struggling with some issues, there's some things going on in your life.
Speaker BMaybe you've lost a loved one or finances are bad.
Speaker BJust know that the whole reason for the season is Jesus and Jesus has a future and a hope for you.
Speaker BSo don't, don't hide, don't hunker down somewhere.
Speaker BGet around people that are having fun and and feed off their joy and their spirit.
Speaker BMaybe it's a Christmas play going on or a group of people that are just going out and having some good time and they say, hey, you want to come?
Speaker BAllow God to use other people to come into your life and bring some holiday joy because you never know what can happen.
Speaker BNow we're going to be talking about holiday romance in the Bible and this is a scripture I love to use for everything that we do nowadays.
Speaker BBut in Ecclesiastes 9:9 it says enjoyed life.
Speaker BThat means enjoy Christmas the whole 12 months of the year, but especially during Christmas.
Speaker BIt says enjoy life with your spouse whom you love all the days of Your life.
Speaker BSo as we're coming in to the holiday season, God wants you and your honey, your spouse, your husband, maybe it's a fiance, whatever it might be, to have a holiday romance.
Speaker BBecause we know it's hard enough during the off season, January through October, ish, for couples to even have time together because life is heading.
Speaker BThey don't.
Speaker BYou can't.
Speaker BYou don't have time for dates.
Speaker BYou're not.
Speaker BYou're not sitting down and talking.
Speaker BYou know what I'm talking about.
Speaker BAnd we've got a podcast that talks about being crazy busy.
Speaker BBut that's not today's topic.
Speaker BKind of.
Speaker BIt's about spending time with your spouse during the holidays.
Speaker BAnd then you got all the normal life.
Speaker BAnd then what's supposed to be fun gets a blur.
Speaker BBecause you got to go here, do this, cook that, wrap that, see this, go there, see people you don't like or do like.
Speaker BAnd it's like by the time January gets here, you're like, oh, but you know what?
Speaker BIn the midst of all of that, you and your honey can have a romance.
Speaker BAnd that's what we're going to talk about on this podcast is holiday romance.
Speaker BYou see, during this time, you should be enjoying each other.
Speaker BNo, that doesn't mean you're going to go through the next 30, 45 days in a little la la land all the time.
Speaker BBut there's going to.
Speaker BYou can have an air of expectancy, an air of romance.
Speaker BYou know, you can be busy.
Speaker BYou can be in the same room together.
Speaker BMaybe it's a church service, a play, a kids thing.
Speaker BAnd just because you're in the same room together doesn't mean you're spending time together.
Speaker BJust because you're out shopping for three or four hours doesn't mean you're spending quality time together.
Speaker BBut what we're talking about is you taking 10 to 15 minutes out, a stolen moment in the midst of your shopping to sit down and say, you know what?
Speaker BWe're out shopping.
Speaker BBut let's.
Speaker BLet's go over the Starbucks, let's go into McDonald's and get a cup of coffee and just sit and talk about our marriage, to talk about what we're going to be doing over the holidays and just spending that time.
Speaker BAnother part it is as you decide to sit down by the fire.
Speaker BOr if you got a fake fire like we do, you sit down, turn on the holiday music, and you just take 10, 15, 20 minutes.
Speaker BMaybe your whole day was crazy busy.
Speaker BBut you know what?
Speaker BYou take that time to reconnect you sit.
Speaker BYou sit down, and you're having that cup of coffee or hot cocoa, and you're just looking at the fire burn, Listen to some Christmas music, and you just spend that time together and allow that bonding to take place.
Speaker BYou know what else it is?
Speaker BIt's YouTube being in a crowded room full of people.
Speaker BMaybe it's a Christmas party.
Speaker BAnd you look over at each other and your eyes meet.
Speaker BAnd your eyes are doing the talking because you're connecting, flirting with each other.
Speaker BFlirting with each other with your eyes.
Speaker AFlirt with each other.
Speaker BSee, it's your attitude.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker BWhen you go into this, hey, I'm going in this with my, quote, girlfriend tonight, my boyfriend.
Speaker BThat's see it as your lovers.
Speaker BAnd you're going in there and you're right.
Speaker BMaking the circuit.
Speaker BBut you know what?
Speaker BYour eyes meet and say, hey, we may step under the mistletone a little bit.
Speaker BSee, it's an attitude you have.
Speaker BDo you go into the party activity?
Speaker BOh, man, I can't believe we've got to go into this.
Speaker BAnother thing.
Speaker BAnd you go and meet your friends, but you go, hey, there might be some mistletoe hanging up.
Speaker BLet's see if we can find the mistletoe.
Speaker BBecause you start making it fun and stuff, and this can happen.
Speaker BYes, you can have this with all the activities going on, and it needs to be a priority for you.
Speaker BYou know why?
Speaker BHoliday romance is something that you need, your spouse needs, and your marriage needs it.
Speaker BYou should not go through the whole holidays coming out of it worn out, and you guys are more disconnected than you were before.
Speaker BYour marriage needs holiday romance.
Speaker BDon't let the holiday hustle take the joy from each other for.
Speaker BFor your.
Speaker BDon't let the holiday hustle take out the joy that you guys should be experiencing together.
Speaker AThat's true.
Speaker AYep.
Speaker AAnother thing is you.
Speaker AYou're gonna have to be intentional about it.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker AIs definitely true through all of this holiday season.
Speaker AAnd to do this, you are.
Speaker AYou know, you might even struggle through the year to be intentional, but especially intentional and on purpose about it.
Speaker AEcclesiastes 9, 10 says, Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
Speaker ASo we're talking about enjoying the holiday season.
Speaker AIt takes effort, but you're gonna have to put effort into it.
Speaker AAnd you might think, oh, my gosh, I don't even have effort for the regular events going on swirling all around me.
Speaker ABut you know what?
Speaker AYou're gonna find that when you do on purpose, take time for each other to do that, reconnecting with each Other it's going to energize you.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BIt could be like you guys saying, we got company coming over to this afternoon and we got to cook some dinner.
Speaker BWe need to clean the bathroom, we need to vacuum the floor.
Speaker BAnd you two start saying, how can we work together as a team and get this done?
Speaker BNot just like there's some list.
Speaker BAnd then while you're moving around the house, maybe you crumb across each other, stop and get that 10 second kiss.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BMaybe you walk past your wife and you're a little frisky and you just tap her on the behind a little bit.
Speaker BOr you, you walk by and say, man, your muscles look good while you're vacuuming that floor.
Speaker BYou, you, you do it with an.
Speaker AIntentional, yeah, you're going to have fun.
Speaker BIt's so, it's your attitude, you're intentional.
Speaker BSo you, instead of, oh man, we got to do this stuff.
Speaker BWell, how can we bring out the best in it?
Speaker AAnd you know what just came to me is grab your spouse's hand.
Speaker AIf you're passing in the hallway and you're got something that you're rushing from, one's going to the front of the house and the other is going to the back of the house, but you meet in the middle, grab each other's hand and say a quick little prayer.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AYou know, Lord, help, help Greg get this accomplished.
Speaker ALord, help Linda get this accomplished.
Speaker AGreg could say for me.
Speaker AAnd, and you know what that does?
Speaker AThat is just like another marriage bust.
Speaker AI mean, a booster.
Speaker AIt's another little boost, you know, so that you can just encourage each other like that.
Speaker ASo take the moment, take, even if you're out shopping, decide to stop and do it spontaneously.
Speaker AA spontaneous, you know, coffee break or something.
Speaker AOr while you're out shopping and getting the groceries and the, the list of food items that you need to make for Thanksgiving or the food items you need for your Christmas or maybe a New Year's Eve party.
Speaker ALike one time we were in Kroger and we were shopping together and it's like we just needed to stop with the grocery cart and just do a quick little.
Speaker AWhat did we do?
Speaker BThat's a good hug.
Speaker BWe just, we just hugged.
Speaker BWe call it the Kroger hugs.
Speaker AOh yeah.
Speaker BAt that particular time, it was a connection there.
Speaker BWe didn't care who was around, we just hugged.
Speaker BAnd sometimes you just gotta stop, be intentional about it, you know, and, and you can be walking if you, maybe you're somewhere and you walk by the Dell and they got samples in the Deli or the bakery area.
Speaker BStop.
Speaker BSay, hey, let's, let's go over and.
Speaker AGet a piece of cheese.
Speaker BGet a piece of cheese.
Speaker BOr get a piece of croissant or jelly roll, whatever they got at Christmas time.
Speaker BAnd just take a couple moments and have that moment.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker BJust taking time to be there together.
Speaker BAnd like you're on a date even though you're out shopping and you're starting to get tired, just be there for one another.
Speaker BLook for opportunities to be romantic and to express your love and appreciation.
Speaker ARadar up, you know?
Speaker AYeah, that's right.
Speaker BSo that leads us to this.
Speaker BMake the most of your time.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BYou're only you.
Speaker BYou're gonna have that 24 hours a day.
Speaker BAnd we're talking about Thanksgiving to New Year's.
Speaker BThat whole time frame is what we're calling holiday romance.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BBecause you got three specific dates.
Speaker BNow.
Speaker BChristmas has the biggest run up to it.
Speaker BBut you know, all during that time, the Christmas, the big events there, but you got all these activities going on, plus lives going on.
Speaker BSo make the most of your time.
Speaker BAnd also, first of all, if it's possible, both of you decide to make holiday romance happen.
Speaker BBut if one spouse isn't listening to this or they're not really paying attention to what's going on, don't wait for them.
Speaker BYou do it.
Speaker BYou're the one who can put your hand out and.
Speaker BOr ask for a kiss or give them a pat on the behind or.
Speaker BOr do what we're going to talk about a little bit later.
Speaker BYou be the initiator and don't wait for perfect timing.
Speaker BThere's never a perfect time, especially when they're busy.
Speaker AThat's right.
Speaker BThe mature part and the, the good part is saying, you know what, I'm busy, but I need to do this.
Speaker BBecause if you had.
Speaker BIf you have to take a medicine, a doctor said you got to take this four times a day and you can be busy.
Speaker BYour timer is going to go off and you're going to take that pill.
Speaker AThat's right.
Speaker BYou're busy all day long.
Speaker BAnd your love dose that you need to give or receive, you need to have it.
Speaker BSo you need to stop what you're doing and get that love.
Speaker AI love the way you put that, dear.
Speaker AYour love dose.
Speaker BYes, that's.
Speaker AI know.
Speaker AI love the way you put that.
Speaker AAnd you know, Greg teases me about my to do list that I like to keep.
Speaker AWell, everybody, some way or somehow they keep a to do list during the holidays.
Speaker AIt seems like if they don't do it through the year.
Speaker AWell, a lot of people during the holidays pick it up.
Speaker AIt seems so.
Speaker ABut why not do a separate to do list throughout the day for special moments with your spouse?
Speaker BYes.
Speaker AYou know, write it out.
Speaker AIf you're list person, then create a holiday rema row culture, holiday romance to do list.
Speaker BYeah, that can be, that can be.
Speaker BLinda can be making one for me, says, okay, I'm going to send, I want to make sure I send Greg a text and tell him he looks so cute in his Santa hat or whatever or just that I'm loving you, I love you, and I'm looking forward to having hot chocolate with you tonight while we're watching the fire, fake fire burning our fireplace.
Speaker BBut you, you kind of put it to do.
Speaker BWhat can I do?
Speaker AThink of those little things and write them out.
Speaker ABecause you might think of them during the day, but when it comes right down to it in the moment, you're like, oh, what was I thinking to do?
Speaker AAnd then there you go, you got your little romance to do list.
Speaker BAnd Ecclesiastes, the, the scripture I said says daily.
Speaker BSo yeah, it's easy to say, okay, we're going to be going to this candlelight service at church, a Christmas musical.
Speaker BWe're going to the date, or we're going over the Joneses tonight for cookies and punch and, and watch a movie.
Speaker BBut you know what?
Speaker BEvery day, even when there's not some type of event where you're going to look across the room and Google eye at each other, like I just said, send a text.
Speaker BBe intentional.
Speaker BWhat?
Speaker BDon't try not to let a day go by when you don't express that romantic feelings or touch or words with your spouse.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AWhat was Ephesians 5, 5, 15, 16.
Speaker BOh, that says make the most of your time.
Speaker AThe most of your time.
Speaker AOkay, there we go.
Speaker BThat's what I was going to start off.
Speaker ASo focus, okay.
Speaker BFocus on your time and look for those little moments.
Speaker AThere you go.
Speaker AWell, and if you're a pre planner, you know, then prepare a date night ahead of time.
Speaker ATry to do that and be ready though.
Speaker AIf you are a pre planner, be ready to be spontaneous for spontaneous opportunities.
Speaker ADon't let your mind stop you from being spontaneous just because you're a natural pre planner.
Speaker ARight?
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BBecause sometimes when people are spontaneous, they want to be spontaneous.
Speaker BAnd maybe you're thinking, oh, I can, I can.
Speaker BOh, there's, let's go get coffee over here for a few minutes.
Speaker BOh, but we don't have time.
Speaker BWe don't have Time.
Speaker BYeah, you do.
Speaker BYou can make time.
Speaker BOr, or you think, you know what, I'm gonna go give my husband a big kiss underneath the mistletoe tonight.
Speaker BAnd you go, oh, what are people gonna think?
Speaker AThey're gonna.
Speaker BOr what's he gonna think?
Speaker BSee, a lot of times in life we let, we have spontaneous thoughts, but we try the reason amount and we.
Speaker ADon'T ever do them.
Speaker BWe talk ourselves out.
Speaker BMoments to be stolen from you.
Speaker ASo if, like, Greg will carve the meat, a lot of times he'll be in the kitchen carving the meat, and he has his apron on and his back will be to me.
Speaker ASo I'll just come up to him and I'll just wrap my arms around him and I make sure it's not where it would be a dangerous situation with the knife being involved.
Speaker ABut I'll just say, thanks for doing all that.
Speaker AYou know, give those words of love, you know, pour out the love.
Speaker AThis is what a perfect time during the holiday seasons to pour it out even more so than ever.
Speaker BAnd your spontaneous times, if you have little spontaneous moments during the day when you're talking about different things or you're flirting and it's not on, quote, your to do list, what happens is all these little things that you do during the day, maybe all of a sudden, you sent decide, I'm going to send a text right now.
Speaker BI'm going to leave a voice message right now.
Speaker BI'm gonna do this or do that for my spouse.
Speaker BAll those things help build anticipation.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker BFor things that you have planned.
Speaker BBecause now when you come together, you've kind of had this romantic foreplay going on.
Speaker BNow we're not talking about you're going to go jump and jump in the hay.
Speaker BBut no, we're talking about you've, you've been flirting, and so now you've got the juices going.
Speaker BSo when you do come together, there's more of a clique going on, there's more bonding going on because you're, you're getting together the talk or for a main event, you know, going to an activity, you're going in there as lovers and friends instead of, oh, this is on our list, let's get dressed, let's go.
Speaker BBecause you've been building the anticipation all day long.
Speaker AThat's true.
Speaker AThat is so true.
Speaker BAnd again, we're talking about time for you and your honey, you and your spouse, away from the kids, away from everything else.
Speaker BThat's our primary goal with holiday romance.
Speaker BAnd I know sometimes you can't have that happen but that's our goal.
Speaker BAnd if you have kids, you can still find time.
Speaker BAnd I just have to say, get creative.
Speaker BBecause when Linda and I were young and had our kids at home, we had to get creative.
Speaker BAnd there's ways to do it, and you probably know.
Speaker BBut if the kids are old enough and they can watch TV on their own and you can get a nice program or streaming thing, they can watch.
Speaker BWell, while they're watching that, just go to the other room and.
Speaker BAnd sit down and have that little talk, have that cup of cocoa or have that special Danish that you picked up at the pastry shop on the way home and just have that time to sit.
Speaker BOr maybe if they're asleep, then you can do more.
Speaker BMaybe that's time for you guys to go back and Mr. And Mrs. Santa can do what they want to do.
Speaker BAnd maybe you've got some friends that can watch your kids or the kids can go over to their house, or maybe you can have a babysitter come.
Speaker BOr when you go to events, maybe it's a family event and you got all the families there and the kids are running around and you can say, hey, guys, we need to go for a walk for a little bit.
Speaker BCan you guys make sure Johnny and Susie behave and they're okay while we're gone for 30 minutes?
Speaker BSee, you got to get creative, take.
Speaker AAdvantage of those moments.
Speaker BRight.
Speaker AYou know, and hey, if you're a grandparent and you're.
Speaker AYou live close by with and you got grandkids will offer your services to your grown kids so that their mom and dad and explain to the children, your grandkids, mom and dad need to go off without you.
Speaker AThey need some time alone.
Speaker ASo offer your services to your, you know, your grown kids.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AOr if you're an aunt or an uncle or maybe just a close friend, offer your services to be there to help out.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BIf you see you got some relatives and they got small kids and you don't have any responsibilities, hey, like Lynn was saying, hey, can we come over and take care of your kids while you guys go out and have a dinner or go shopping and get those gifts that you need to get and maybe get a little snack or something.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AAnd that's time away with your spouse, you know.
Speaker ASo what's the next one to get away?
Speaker AWhat is a good one?
Speaker BThis, I like this one right here.
Speaker BSong of Solomon 7:11 through 12 says the young lovers are saying, let us go to the vineyards.
Speaker BLet us go to the countryside and get away from everybody and escape.
Speaker BWell, you know, I'm applying this now.
Speaker BThey were wanting to get out and do lovey dovey stuff.
Speaker BAnd that's kind of what we're wanting to do here.
Speaker BBut not in that sense necessarily.
Speaker BDuring the holidays and at different times, you need to get away from everybody, even if it's a household of people.
Speaker BWe kind of referred to this a minute ago.
Speaker AWe did.
Speaker BFamily members go outside.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker BGo to a different.
Speaker BJust say, hey, we need to go outside and take a little walk just to get away.
Speaker BSay you got to have that time together.
Speaker BGo to a different room.
Speaker BMaybe everybody's in there watching the football game and you guys can just kind of go to another room in the house or wherever and just sit down and talk, hold hands for a few minutes and have that cup of cider or whatever you're gonna do.
Speaker BOr you can say, hey, we're gonna go get a coffee for a little bit.
Speaker BNow most people may not even notice you're gone.
Speaker BAnd most people may be looking at you and saying, boy, I wish I could get out of here for 30 minutes and go have a cup of coffee.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BGo out on a dinner, take a walk.
Speaker AA lot of people take a smoke break.
Speaker AWe'll take a couple break.
Speaker AHow about that?
Speaker ATake your.
Speaker ATake your marriage break with each other.
Speaker ARight.
Speaker AAnd you know what I think?
Speaker AI think people have to give their self permission to do that.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker AYou know, that's true.
Speaker AYou know, think I can't do that, they start feeling guilty.
Speaker AI can't leave mom in the kitchen by herself doing all that.
Speaker AWell, don't.
Speaker AJust take five minutes.
Speaker AThat's it.
Speaker ARight.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AHey, if you have to go to the bathroom, you stop then, right?
Speaker AYou give yourself permission to do that.
Speaker AWell, then just take that five minute little.
Speaker AMeet me in the outside, wherever.
Speaker BThat's right.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AGive yourself permission.
Speaker BYou know, you're at a family event and you've got your brothers and sisters there and they've got all their kids and.
Speaker BAnd you say, you know what, dear, let's go off for a little bit.
Speaker BSo you go over and talk to Mike and say, mike, hey, we're gonna go off for a little bit.
Speaker BWould you mind watching our two kids?
Speaker BAnd when we get back, if you and your wife want to go off, we'll watch your kids.
Speaker BSo kind of bargain with people and set it up so, you know, everybody can maybe get a chance to escape.
Speaker AThere you go.
Speaker BAnd let's move on here.
Speaker BDon't forget about sexual intimacy during the holiday season so you can have your holiday romance.
Speaker BBecause a lot of couples, it's tough enough during the year, but you know what?
Speaker BYou still need to have that bonding.
Speaker BSo during the holiday season, during that time, you need to take time for bonding.
Speaker BGet creative how you can fit this in.
Speaker BEven if you're out of town, there's ways love will make a way.
Speaker BSo get creative to try to make time for y' all to have some sexual intimacy.
Speaker BThe term quickie takes on a new meaning when you're out of town.
Speaker AThat's love will find a way.
Speaker BSo next part here, I think is very important during this holiday romantic time is let your love shine.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BOkay.
Speaker BI think this is important.
Speaker BThis isn't so much for you now.
Speaker AIt's for other people, for them to see your love.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BSee, Genesis 26:8 says, Isaac and his wife are outside somewhere, and the king saw him sporting his wife.
Speaker BAnother version says, caressing.
Speaker BWe're just going to put it in this moment that he looked out and saw them sporting.
Speaker BWell, you know what?
Speaker BWe need to let people see us showing affection in front of people.
Speaker BWe.
Speaker BThey need to see us showing affection to each other.
Speaker BWhy?
Speaker BBecause it lets them see couples can be in love, they can be affectionate, they're getting along, and that's a good example of what love is.
Speaker BSo in other words, let your light shine.
Speaker ANow, you don't have to go overboard.
Speaker BNo, you're not talking about going overboard.
Speaker ALike, go get a room or anything like that.
Speaker AA public display of affection.
Speaker ABut it's like just being kind to one another.
Speaker AHow.
Speaker AHow is the tone of your voice while you're talking to your spouse in a room with other people?
Speaker AAre you just getting a little sweet kiss on the cheek?
Speaker AYou know, and this holding hands when you're sitting down to watch a Christmas movie together, that kind of thing right there.
Speaker BStealing a kiss, snuggling on the couch.
Speaker BIf people see the mistletoes hanging there and people are walking around, you know what?
Speaker BYou go over there and you take your spouse and you get a kiss in front of everybody.
Speaker BYou know what?
Speaker BThat's letting people see you're having fun.
Speaker BBecause so many times people get around couples and they're stiff, they're boring, or there's tension in the air.
Speaker BI just heard a survey results of a survey the other day, and it said 61% of high school girls in 12th grade say they are only.
Speaker BThat only 61% attendance intend to get married one day.
Speaker BThat's down from 83% from 1993.
Speaker BThe system in the world's coming in where marriage is not the thing to do.
Speaker BYoung kids, the little kids and teenagers, they see their parents arguing, being boring, just being roommates, and they say, why do I want to get married?
Speaker BBut you know what?
Speaker BWhen you're out during the holiday season and you're showing some affection, people like to see that because it says, man, they love each other.
Speaker BThey're, They're.
Speaker BAt least they look like they love each other.
Speaker BThey're acting.
Speaker BProbably wouldn't be doing it if they don't.
Speaker BBut they're.
Speaker BThey're showing affection.
Speaker BThey're showing, hey, this couple, they have a presence about them.
Speaker BYou ever get around certain couples and you can just tell they love each other, and they're, They're, They're.
Speaker BThey want to serve one another and bless one another.
Speaker BSo that's what we're talking about.
Speaker BLet your presence be something that people are attracted to.
Speaker BOr they can look up and say, I like to be like that couple.
Speaker BYou see them.
Speaker BYou know, we.
Speaker BThis Pat, through the last few years, in our house, we just did this big old Christmas display, and we had a place that had mistletoe hanging up, and couples would come in and take pictures under the mistletoe and kiss.
Speaker BAnd I remember one time a couple came through, it was a young couple, and the wife goes, hey, let's get a kiss, and they can take a picture.
Speaker BAnd he goes, nah.
Speaker BThe husband goes, nah, nah, I don't want to do that.
Speaker BWe don't need to do that.
Speaker BAnd I could tell the wife was disappointed.
Speaker BSo they walked on around.
Speaker BWe had a curve area where people went around and looked at something else, and they came back by, and the guy said, we'll do that kiss now or we'll take that picture.
Speaker BI could tell he had to come to Jesus moment when his wife talked to him.
Speaker BSo you know what?
Speaker BLet your presence shine.
Speaker BGod's love.
Speaker BThat's what we're talking about.
Speaker BLike Linda said, we're not talking about making out and tongues are flying and everything, but no, we're just talking about showing love and affection.
Speaker BSo during the holiday season, that's what it's all about.
Speaker BIt's God's love.
Speaker BAnd what better thing is it for marriages, a husband and wife to be demonstrating love and affection?
Speaker BThe world needs that.
Speaker BYour kids need that.
Speaker BYour family's watching you.
Speaker BPeople are watching you.
Speaker BBe the North Star example of a heavenly home or couple.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AAnd you know what?
Speaker ALet your family and friends know that you're sweet on each other.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AYou know, that's a rare Commodity.
Speaker BNot by your words, but.
Speaker BWell, your words too, but especially by your actions.
Speaker AIt's just the environment that you create around.
Speaker ARight?
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AOkay, so another one would be just.
Speaker AHere's just a bunch of random ideas.
Speaker AWe probably have talked a lot about them, but here's some random ideas of how you can holiday romance, you know, do things that your spouse likes to do and maybe you don't like to do it.
Speaker AYou know, we knew a couple that her husband did not care to decorate at all.
Speaker AHe didn't care to do any kind of stuff.
Speaker AAnd she loved to do all the decorating, but he would never engage.
Speaker AHe would never do anything that she wanted to do.
Speaker AShe had to call on friends and, and even family members to help her decorate, to have anything that was part of the holidays.
Speaker AAnd you know, so, you know, think about it.
Speaker APeople out there, if you don't like doing something, we'll do it for your spouse, do it for your marriage.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BAnd I know there's people that, that love watching all the Hallmark type movies or Great American Family or Pure Flex, all the good Christian movies and, or Christmas movies and some people just gag or whatever.
Speaker BBut you know what, they like to do that.
Speaker BAnd maybe the spouse doesn't like it.
Speaker BWell, you know what, maybe sit down with your spouse and watch one with him or her because they want to do that and then they can do something that you want to do that they may don't care.
Speaker BSo it's a two way street.
Speaker AIt is.
Speaker BBut do decorating together.
Speaker BYou know what, you know, you see them doing on the movies and everybody's having fun and you know, they put the star up and the star, the, the lady falls off the ladder and he catches her.
Speaker BWell, you can have your own Hallmark movie.
Speaker AOh my God.
Speaker BDecorate together.
Speaker BThat's fun.
Speaker BWatch them go for a walk.
Speaker BMaybe you don't like to go for a walk, but your spouse does.
Speaker BYou know what?
Speaker BGo for a walk because they need it.
Speaker BHold hands in, in talk and just cuddle.
Speaker BBut go for a walk.
Speaker BDo a mistletoe hunt.
Speaker AOh, yeah.
Speaker AI think that is really cool.
Speaker BWhen you're out and about, look for mistletoe together and go get a kiss.
Speaker BYeah, that's what it's for.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AIf you're walking in the mall, then go find that mistletoe somewhere in the mall.
Speaker AA lot of the stores I know the entrance, their door entrance, they'll hang a little mistletoe right there at the door entrance.
Speaker AOkay.
Speaker ARight?
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BAnd there's so many.
Speaker BYou can google what can you do for Christmas dates?
Speaker BWhat's ideas?
Speaker BBake together, cook together, go walk in the snow.
Speaker BSome of y' all are out where it snows.
Speaker BGo scout in the snow and get a carriage ride.
Speaker BThere's so much that you can do.
Speaker BBut decorate together, cook together, listen to Christmas music.
Speaker AYep.
Speaker BWhile you're cleaning, while you're cooking, while you're just sitting and lounging, and while you're driving in the car, there's some good Christmas love songs out there.
Speaker AOh, hey, here's one.
Speaker ATake time to make out.
Speaker ABut here, I just thought of that.
Speaker AIf you're in the car together and you're.
Speaker AAnd you park.
Speaker AWell, before you park to head into the restaurant or the mall or whatever, grab each other or grab your spouse and just say, come here, let me just give you a big old kiss.
Speaker BYeah, you know what?
Speaker AHey, women, be smart about it because you might get a little extra handy because of that.
Speaker BOh, that sounds like a bride.
Speaker AOh, no.
Speaker AWell, you know what?
Speaker AGreg had a great idea.
Speaker AGoogle it.
Speaker AThey'll come up with a bunch of stuff.
Speaker BBut I, like, Linda mentioned it, take time out to make out.
Speaker BJust think, use that term a lot of times.
Speaker BTake time out to make out.
Speaker AThat's it.
Speaker BYou gotta.
Speaker BYou gotta be intentional on it.
Speaker BAnd.
Speaker BBut daily, do things daily that would send the message to your smile.
Speaker BDo a sticky note.
Speaker BThings that you do all year long, just do it during Christmas.
Speaker BBe more intentional.
Speaker BTalk to them in person.
Speaker BWrite them a hand note.
Speaker BText them, leave a call while they're at work and say, you know what?
Speaker BI can't wait till we come home tonight.
Speaker BWe'll do a little decorating and then we can snuggle on the couch.
Speaker BI can't wait for you to get home.
Speaker BDo that as a voice message.
Speaker BWrite a message on the mirror, make a phone call, and just look for little gifts to give them.
Speaker BMaybe that says, I love you, this is Christmas time.
Speaker BGo to the dollar store if you don't have a lot of finances, or if you do, you can find little knickknacks.
Speaker BDo something that's around a Christmas theme and be a boyfriend, be a girlfriend, be a lover.
Speaker AYeah, maybe.
Speaker AYou know what?
Speaker AThis is very creative.
Speaker AFind a little piece of mistletoe.
Speaker AAnd women, we can stick it in our purses or something like that.
Speaker AMen, maybe somewhere in your pocket.
Speaker ASo wherever you go, pull it out and just stick it over your spouse's head right in the middle of Kroger.
Speaker BOh, there you go.
Speaker BThat's right.
Speaker ASomebody's gonna be pulling Something off the shelf in their car, walking by you and they're gonna see you hang that mistletoe over your spouse's head.
Speaker AAnd they're going to be going, well, I'll be darn.
Speaker BI think next year we're going to sell married and love it.
Speaker BMistletoe.
Speaker AHey, that's what we need to do.
Speaker BOkay, so the bottom line is we want you to enjoy the holiday season, but we want you to enjoy it together as a spouse, as a married couple.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BAnd that it's.
Speaker BThat it's a romantic holiday for you.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker AAnd a couple, before we close, just, you know, here's a couple little honeydews.
Speaker AWe pretty much had talked through this podcast about some.
Speaker ABut just begin to think of things that you can do, you know, when you listen to this podcast, some of the things that we've talked about to get creative, to make your time with your spouse creative.
Speaker AHoliday romance this year.
Speaker AAnd then just do it.
Speaker BYeah, just do it.
Speaker BAnd that leads us to our 10 second kiss.
Speaker BAnd this ought to be part of your holiday romance in the mornings.
Speaker BHoliday romance.
Speaker BGet that 10 second kiss.
Speaker BDo it during the day, do it at a party or do it when you're out and about.
Speaker BSay, hey, we need our 10 second kiss.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BBut pull your spouse up.
Speaker BMaybe you both got your Santa Claus hats on.
Speaker BMake it fun.
Speaker BYeah, make it fun.
Speaker BAnd, and, and if you're out looking at Christmas lights, get a 10 second kiss while you're looking at the lights.
Speaker BWhatever you can do to make your time together special.
Speaker AThat's it.
Speaker BGet your mind off the kids or the gifts, the wrappings, the food.
Speaker BEven though it's two weeks from Christmas, there's lots of stuff going on.
Speaker BWhat can you do to cause your love to be enjoyed, to be an expression to each other?
Speaker BOthers people can see and that can make this a romantic time and not just crazy busy that you're glad when you're able to lay your head down in the evening.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker BAnd just have a holiday romance.
Speaker BSo right now, remember your 10 second kiss though.
Speaker BPull your, pull your spouse up.
Speaker BSay, come over here, Ms. Claus or Mr. Santa, come on over here.
Speaker BYou get your kiss and just pull them up to you.
Speaker BSet your Timer and have 10 seconds of holiday romance.
Speaker AHoliday bliss.
Speaker ARight?
Speaker BYep.
Speaker AWell, well, before we close though, I want to remind everybody that we are doing a married in love at coffee mug giveaway.
Speaker ASo because we celebrated 48 years of anniversary this November on the 12th, that's what we're doing.
Speaker ASo if you're currently on our mailing list.
Speaker ASend us a comment, a question.
Speaker AMaybe it's a prayer request or maybe it's something that you'd like for us to be discussing on our podcast.
Speaker AAnd the deadline's November 30th and the drawing is going to be on December 5th.
Speaker ADecember 1st.
Speaker BThat's coming up.
Speaker AI know really fast.
Speaker AYep.
Speaker ASo go to our website.
Speaker AYou can see a picture our coffee mugs there and there's button there also on the website to, you know, just to push on there to sign up, tell a friend about it.
Speaker BThat's in our show notes.
Speaker AYep, that's right.
Speaker AThat's going to be in our show notes and tell a friend about it.
Speaker AYou know, if they aren't already on our newsletter mailing list, they can enter, they can do the same thing and there's a button to sign up with their email and they can be put into the giveaway.
Speaker BSo and you can text, email or voicemail any comments you have about our show that you like it or if you got a question or topic that you would like for us to cover or to answer, just send us that text, email or voicemail and we'll be glad to answer that or receive your comment.
Speaker ABut you know what I was just thinking we would love to get a picture of you and your family doing some kind of holiday specialty.
Speaker AMaybe it's just you and your spouse do do a holiday specialty.
Speaker ASend it to us.
Speaker AWe would love to see you and your family.
Speaker AAll right.
Speaker ASo I hope today's message actually they.
Speaker BCould go to our Married and Love It Facebook group.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker BWhat is that true?
Speaker BMarried and Love it.
Speaker AWe can put it in our show notes.
Speaker BOkay.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AYeah, let's do that.
Speaker BThank you for investing into your marriage by listening to the Married and Love it podcast.
Speaker BBe sure to be a part of the ripple effect of see you next week.
Speaker AAnd until then, remember you can be married and Love it on purpose.
Speaker BAlso, subscribe to and follow us on your favorite platform and be sure to check out our website at www.marriedandlovet.com where you can learn more about Married and Lovett and contact us with any questions or comments that you may have.
Speaker BAnd remember with God that you have a future and a hope and you can be married and Lovett on purpose.