1. Appreciation

Do you know anyone who does not like to be appreciated?

Appreciation can be as simple as

"I liked it today when............"

"thank you for....................."

Small, simple, yet powerful.

Anticipation

It's a human need to have something to look forward to.

Bobby Bowden, the head coach at Florida State says that he never wants to retire because there is only one big event to look forward toafter you retire.

Perhaps that is why so many people die soon after retirement, they have not built in anything to look forward to.

When you look forward together, you draw closer as a couple. You can look forward to little things, like reading the paper together on Sunday morning or watching your favorite TV show together, all the way to looking forward to having kids or grandkids.

I think one of the reasons anticipation is so powerful and so needed is that looking forward together is very close to hoping together.

3. Compliments

"Compliment, what she does......" Quincy Jones with James Ingram

Compliment - Saying I like your dress, shirt and haircut are all nice things.

You can go farther with

"I really like the way you handled that situation"

"You are such a good dad/mom"

"I'm glad I am with you."

Genuine compliments strengthen the connection between couples.