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Showing posts with the label marriage wisdom

Butt Pats and Pet Names

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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...

Low-Cost Date Nights With My Spouse (Because We’re in Love… Not in Debt)

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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 ...

Biblical Wedding Traditions and Their Meanings We Still Use Today

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  Biblical Wedding Traditions and Their Meanings We Still Use Today By Gary M. Roberts Weddings are among the oldest human traditions, and some of the practices we cherish most today go back thousands of years—to ancient Israel, to biblical customs, and to the spiritual symbolism woven throughout Scripture. Though modern ceremonies may appear quite different on the surface, many of the elements we consider “traditional” have deep roots in biblical times. These traditions carry profound meaning, connecting couples not only to history but also to divine principles about love, covenant, and community. In this comprehensive exploration, we’ll trace several beloved wedding customs back to their biblical origins. We’ll look at how these traditions developed, what they symbolized then, and how their meanings continue to enrich our ceremonies today. For an even deeper dive into the symbolism behind these traditions, you can explore my booklet, Wedding Traditions and Their Meanings , avail...

Welcome to The Romantic Husband

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  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 ,...