50 ways to show your husband that you love him

I think it is so easy for us women to have such busy and stretching days as full-time moms (and/or full-time work/school) that we sometimes have little energy or patience when we see our husbands.  I created this post to offer some helpful ideas to SHOW MORE LOVE, since this is our MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP!  Plus, children crave knowing that their parents love each other. So, here is a FUN LIST – some of which are my ideas but many of these were inspired from researching other websites. I’ve tried to include ideas from all the 5 love languages.  NOT ALL OF THESE will fit with your current situations and personalities, but I hope some will inspire you.

This is NOT MEANT TO OVERWHELM :), but rather to PICK ONE and HAVE FUN!  You can refer to this through the “Ideas for Wives” tab when you just want to re-focus on your hubby! The key is to REMEMBER TO TRY BEING AN INTENTIONAL WIFE.  Growing in love doesn't just happen, you CREATE IT!

1. CHOOSE TO ACT NOT RE-ACT.  Isn't it so natural and easy to react to others - to become offended when someone is offensive?!  To reflect shortness to someone's being short or rude to us?  You cannot ever change others, but you have the power to choose how you act and love.  Experiment with showing more love in the moment rather than just merely mirroring how they treat you - this is one of the hardest things for us humans to do. 
2. MIRROR & TOLIET MESSAGES.  Write a little love note on your bathroom mirror with lipstick or a dry erase marker.  Or if you really feel like being crazy and doing something totally-out-of-the-ordinary, write on toilet paper with a permanent marker and lay out message on top of the toilet water :)
3. SAY YOU'RE SORRY, before he does.  This is not easy, but I love the quote by Ruth Bell Graham: "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers."
4. TELL YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THEIR DAD. 
5. DROP EVERYTHING.  Try putting aside your eternal to-do lists just for a moment, and give your husband your sincere, undivided attention.
6. INITIATE.   Researchers report that "Marital Intimacy" is the #1 need of Men in marriage - or the #1 way that they feel loved.  So make it fun, try new things, initiate.
7. TEXT HIM Surprise him with a spontaneous, flirty text or a sentence about why you are so grateful for him.  Finding your own ways to connect during the day makes a difference.
8. START A HOBBY TOGETHER.  Ok, so with our babies asleep at home one night, we decided to write a “bucket list” of fun things we wanted to do together.  We LOVE rockclimbing, so we've started buying the gear.  Find something you both would enjoy!
9. PLAN A DATE NIGHT even it is in your own home when the kiddos are asleep. It’s so important to have that time to fall in love all over again - just the two of you.  We usually keep it super simple, but it really does make a huge difference.
10. START A “LOVE JOURNAL” where you can write letters to each other, paste in notes you’ve both written, special memories, and such.  
11.   KEEP YOURSELF ATTRACTIVE Maybe I'm the only one here, but I find it difficult to actually find time to shower and feel pretty each day- especially when I'm meeting the continual demands of my children!  But I really do believe in the importance of looking attractive for our husbands.  Whether it's throwing on some makeup, or finding some cute clothes that are actually clean, or getting your hair done - it doesn't always happen but it does wonders for how we feel about ourselves.  
12. BREAKFAST IN BED One website I researched suggested to make heart-shaped pancakes.  I've never actually made heart shaped - maybe just for Valentine's :)  But, I guess a surprise breakfast in bed, that could be fun.
13. FLIRT WITH HIM It's funny how we totally flirt while dating, but once we're married we can easily forget to be FUN!  Just because you've snagged him, don't stop flirting.  Try to bring it back. 
14.  DON'T TRY TO BE HIS MOM Remember you are his wife, not his mother. Don't jump him every time he does something differently than you’d like.  Remember, YOU ARE EQUALS.
15.  LAUGH AT HIS QUIRKS  When living with someone it's natural for the "little things" to get on both of your nerves.  Sometimes those very quirks can be endearing or even laughable and others require patience.  Thank you babe for being patient with me over and over again!
16. WRITE A FUN "LOVE NOTE".  One time I'm pasted "Top 10 Things I Love about My Husband" on our bedroom door.  Or, just leave a note somewhere where he'll find it.  One time Steve was really cute to leave random, funny post it notes around the house.  
17. GIVE HIM A MASSAGE.  I bet he would love a spontaneous head rub or go all out and give him a back rub with lotion.  So Steve has introduced me to the wonders of back scratches... I will never be the same!
18. GRAB A KISS WHILE YOU WAIT Kiss your husband while you're waiting at the stoplight or in the food drive-through.
19. BE AWARE OF EXITS & ENTRANCES  As you and your husband say goodbyes and reunite again after a long day, be aware of how you show love during these important cross roads. 
20. TALK ABOUT HIS INTERESTS Bring up a subject that interests him and listen to him talk. Even if the subject doesn't interest you, enjoy watching him as he gets stirred up over the topic.
21. SLOW DANCE in the kitchen when the kids go to bed. Actually, maybe dance in front of your kids!
22. VERBALLY SHOW APPRECIATION IN FRONT OF HIS FAMILY.  When with his family, for example, share sincere appreciation for what your husband does or who he is.  
23. SURPRISE GIFT.  Surprise him with a fun gift of some kind that he’d really enjoy.
24. CALM DOWN FIRST, THEN TALK.  When you are in a moment of frustration, try taking some deep breathes, perhaps hold you tongue momentarily, and discuss it as soon as you feel more able to talk kindly.  It's easy to say hurtful, non-helpful things if you just react instantly in a heated moment.
25. FIND SOME SANITY AT HOME. With two little kids and being pregnant, our house usually is out of control :).  And I need loads of help to keep things somewhat clean and organized!   I do care about the environment of our home because it does affect EVERYONE, especially me and my ability to focus on the people in that home.  
26.  ENCOURAGE HIS HOBBIES, even if you’re perhaps not fond of some.  Encourage him, even help make it happen!  It will make a huge difference and help him tremendously to feel more balanced and to be his best self.  I sure need this, and I know he does too.
27. IN A MOMENT WHEN YOU COULD BE IRRITABLE, TRY TO LAUGH instead!  Hmmm, easier said than done.  But I guess I could try to be witty in a moment when I could be quickly offended or grumpy. 
28. TAKE A HIKE OR WALK TOGETHER. It's hard to hold hands while pushing a stroller, but at least you can talk!
29. EAT AN ICE CREAM CONE TOGETHER Buy one, large cone, and eat it together at the same time.
30. PRAY TOGETHER EACH NIGHT. Recently I attended a wedding ceremony where I heard some of the best marriage advice! So you take turns each night expressing 1) why you're grateful for your spouse and 2) what you want to do to be more worthy of his/her love.  
31. ENCOURAGE HIM TO BUY THAT TOY he's been wanting so badly. Better yet, put some of your own things off, save the money and buy it for him yourself!
32.  MEND HIS CLOTHES One website suggested to surprise him but trying to "fix" some of his clothes. This may increase his wardrobe by 20%!  Well for me, I personally would have to first learn how to "mend" clothes, but whatever!  If "service" is your husband's primary love language and you happen to have that skill, it could be meaningful to him.
33. HAVE A WRESTLING MATCH This will get you both laughing, and it will remind you not to be so serious.
34. SEEK HIS ADVICE Ask for your husband's input and advice on anything from children to what he might like to eat. This will let him know he's needed and that his thoughts are important.
35.  LOOK OUT FOR HIS HEALTH Encourage your husband to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Physical exercise seems to be a HUGE deal for many men and women to be able to face the challenges of each day.  We happen to be P90X fans, but find whatever works for you!  
36.  MAKE HIM A COUPON BOOK  Give him coupons to redeem—maybe for a back scratch or a shoulder rub or things that would mean much to him.
37. CUDDLE WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE.  Maybe you could even pick out a movie you know he would really like and have a yummy treat!
38. DON'T BE A PESSIMIST Try not to focus too much on the negative. Try to have a positive outlook in your marriage and on life.  There’s a difference between having real and honest talks (which is completely necessary) and just have a sour outlook on everything.
39. MAKE HIS FAVORITE TREAT I just discovered after several years of marriage that my husband loves more than anything peanut butter cookies with hershey kisses.  So, I picked up the ingredients for us to make together sometime.  We often, probably more often than we should, enjoy "oreo parties."  It has become our nightly ritual to dunk oreos and chat :)
40. PLAY A GAME TOGETHER.  Ok, I kind of pride myself on being undefeated in Settlers
41. LOOK HIM IN THE EYES Look your husband straight in the eyes when he talks to you to show that he is your #1 at that moment.
42. DON'T PUSH THE BUDGET If you can't afford certain things, don't buy them.  Try not to complain about your standard of living or whine about the things that you don't have. 
43.  HELP HIM SHAVE This is a fun way to be close and to get you both laughing.  ps. Don't let your husband try to take an electric razor to your own eyebrows.. bad experience :)  Love you babe!  And yeah, I've only cute my husband's hair once... also bad experience!
44.  LOVE YOURSELF Many times we as women hold back on our husbands because of our own insecurities. Learn to let it go. The things that we're so worried about, usually don't even bother him. 
45. DEFEND HIM Don't let others disrespect your husband. Even just a snide comment can hurt. Stick up for the most important person in your life.
46.  JUST GO TO BED!  I don’t always believe in the adage to never go to bed angry.  Our kids sure struggle when they are over tired, and so do we.  In a moment of frustration when tired and cranky, sometimes just go to bed. You'll likely wake up in the morning with a renewed perspective! :)
47.  PRAISE and SHOW APPRECIATION When your husband works hard, or does something for you, let him know you appreciate him!  Interestingly, researchers have found that praise and admiration is actually on men’s top 5 needs in marriage. 
48. DON'T COMPARE.  Be careful not to compare your husband to others - your dad, brothers, or other men.  They may be great, but remember your husband is too.  Likewise we should avoid comparing ourselves to other wives and moms - which us women are SO guilty of.   
49. ENCOURAGE MAN TIME.  Enthusiastically support your husband in perhaps watching sports with other guys, playing sports, or having time to hang out with guys he is close to.  Women really need other women, and that "man" time can be important for some husbands. 
50. KEEP LEARNING AND BEING CURIOUS.  It can take some real effort and creativity to expand your intellect while tending lots of littles (or whatever your situation may be), but it will make you a more beautiful and interesting wife and mother!  Maybe listen to interesting podcasts as you attack the piles of dishes, always carry a good book with you, or quickly research one new topic especially if it’s something your husband would also find interesting!

*Have fun finding ways to show your husband you love him in ways that are meaningful to him!

http://busybliss.blogspot.com/2012/02/50-ways-to-show-your-husband-you-love.html