The Romantic Husband

I’ve reached a point in marriage where two things keep the romance alive far better than candlelit dinners or long walks on the beach: butt pats and pet names . Yes, really. Forget diamonds — give me a well-timed booty smack and someone calling me “Honey Muffin,” and I feel fully cherished. Let me explain. The Drive-By Butt Pat: An Art Form There is a sacred marital ritual I like to call the drive-by butt pat . You know the one — you’re walking past your spouse on your way to the kitchen, the couch, or anywhere snacks might be found, and suddenly WHAP : gentle, supportive, affectionate contact. Now, some might call it juvenile. I call it emotional enrichment. A butt pat says: “Hey, I like you.” “Still cute.” “Nice pants.” “Just checking this is still mine.” It’s marital Morse code. Sometimes the pat is a playful tap. Sometimes it’s more of a soft squeeze that says, “Hello, yes, I am your legally bonded partner, and I appreciate your structural i...

  Turns out you don’t need a luxury retreat or a relationship guru to fix communication issues. Sometimes, all it takes is one simple habit — practiced consistently — and a good sense of humor. Recognizing When Something’s Off in Your Marriage When Everyday Arguments Become Competitions   Every relationship has its bumps, but ours started feeling like we were training for the Arguing Olympics. If the tiniest things — like laundry, the thermostat, or the dreaded remote control — turn into major disagreements, your marriage might be waving a tiny emotional white flag.   The Great Dinner Duel: Our Wake-Up Call Most couples argue about who has to cook — not us. We argue about who gets to cook. Passionately. Somewhere between a whisk and a passive-aggressive comment, I realized: We weren’t fighting about dinner. We were stuck in recycled communication patterns. And boom — a lightbulb moment, courtesy of pasta night. My Big Issue: Life-lo...

  Tips for Changing Your Spouse Marriage has taught me it's a journey, not a destination. When I said "I do," I imagined I'd found my perfect match — and yet over time I've learned that marriage is a dynamic process that requires ongoing attention, work, and a willingness to adapt. As my partner and I moved through the ups and downs of married life, I often wondered how to gently nudge my partner in healthier directions without pushing them away. I love my partner for who they are, but I also want both of us to grow and evolve together — and I’ve found that the most reliable path to that growth is through changing what I do and how I react, not trying to force them to change overnight. Finding the right balance between acceptance and gentle influence has been crucial for a healthy, fulfilling relationship . In this article I share practical relationship tips and real-life lessons I learned the hard way — communication tactics, small behavioral nudges that actua...