welcome to love, milk & honey.

I love watching nerve-wracking first dates when James and I are out on the town.  She’s dressed in the 303,098 outfit she tried on and he’s anxiously pulling at his collar while trying to ask all the right questions.  You say so many things in those first moments together.  So much that means the world to you.  So much that is meant to impress.  And so much that really shows how you want your next relationship to be.

As a couple moves from the first date to the second and on to the kiss, meeting the friends, sharing their stories, and falling in love I feel that one integral part of building a solid and lasting relationship is consistency.  Especially in the statements you make to your mate.  There is something about the value held by follow-through that just cannot be expressed in words.  I know you have heard the statement “Actions speak louder than words.”  Don’t ignore it.

Be a words person.  Tell your mate how you feel, what you like, what you dislike, what you picture your life being like with them, and make promises.  But only if you intend to be an actions person as well and follow through with what you say.  Sure, you may picture living in the country but your job takes you to the city.  That’s not a deal breaker.  But talking about your future life together elaborately and then not making it a point to integrate them into your family holiday festivities.  Not okay.

Marriage is a choice.  A choice to share.  A choice to stop only considering yourself.  A choice to choose your mate and put them first.  Don’t lack follow-through and always mean what you say.

photo courtesy: Jeremy Gilliam