Relationship GoalsSample

Starting Fresh

From Leanna, married to Zach for less than a year

After Zach and I got married, we basked in the excitement of being newlyweds: our first night as a married couple, our first road trip, our first big purchase. We even slightly enjoyed our first married argument.

After several months, the novelty of our married life had worn off. We went to work, we came home, we ate dinner, we watched a show, we went to bed, and we started the whole process over in the morning.

We realized that we needed to start fresh and make investing in our marriage a priority, so we committed to reading devotionals like this together. One of our devotionals encouraged us to pursue one another as if we had just started dating. Before I left the house the next morning, I wrote encouraging words on sticky notes and placed them all over the house.

Not only did these notes make Zach feel loved, they spurred him on. I returned home to find out he’d planned an entire date night. I was so giddy you would’ve thought he was taking me out on our first date.

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, try something new! Let your spouse know they’re loved. Because love isn’t just an action or a feeling. It’s an intentional choice.

From Zach, married to Leanna for less than a year 

On social media, our first six months of marriage looked like a blast, but in all honesty, Leanna and I were facing battles neither of us expected. I had been turned down by my dream job, her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, my grandfather unexpectedly passed away, and with demanding schedules, we found little time to spend together.

Something needed to change.

We decided that instead of trying to face our problems individually, we were going to face them together. We started praying and reading the Word together. We began scheduling date nights and starting meaningful conversations over dinner.

We have a saying now: “I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.” These words remind us that our marriage is always starting fresh today.

Whatever your relationship status is with each other, or with God, it’s possible to be like a newlywed and start fresh in your pursuit.

Find more content for all kinds of healthy relationships.