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...

Romance doesn’t have to come with a three-digit price tag. Trust me—I adore my spouse, but I also love keeping money in my bank account. Over the years, we’ve mastered the art of the low-cost date night . These dates may not involve fancy reservations or waiters saying “excellent choice,” but they do involve laughter, connection, and sometimes competitive trash talk. Here are some of our favorite budget-friendly date nights that prove love doesn’t require a luxury budget—just a good sense of humor. 1. The “Gourmet” Stay-At-Home Dinner Date We light candles like we’re starring in a rom-com, then proceed to cook something that would definitely not impress Gordon Ramsay. Sometimes it’s homemade pizza, sometimes it’s breakfast for dinner. Either way, we pretend we’re judges on a cooking show while dramatically critiquing each other’s presentations. “Bold use of cheese.” “Thank you, I was feeling reckless.” Total cost: whatever was already sitting in our fridge. Bonus ...

  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...

  Welcome to The Romantic Husband If you’ve ever wondered what real-life romance looks like after decades of marriage, or what a long-married husband and romance author has learned about love, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for practical marriage advice rooted in lived experience—tips you can try this week—stay a while. My name is  Gary M. Roberts , and I created  The Romantic Husband  to share the stories, insights, and lessons I’ve gathered from a life lived fully—as an  award-winning author ,  retired Chief of Police ,  Doctor of Theology ,...