Step 1: Lifelong Dating

Most marriage relationships start off with a dating season where we get to know one another. Conversations, questions, and curiosity filled our time together. This enlightening time of dating brought many of us to the decision to marry. And then what? Stop dating? Stop the conversations, questions, and curiosity? To grow a lifelong love, it takes a commitment to work — much like the commitment to take care of a lovely garden. Without work, weeds infiltrate a garden. Without fertilizer, nothing grows well in a garden. Without water and sunshine, growth can be stunted or nonexistent. In the same manner, lifelong dating takes work like intentional communication, growth, and time for connection. Would we really think that the garden of our marriage would need less work?

Enriching and deepening love takes a true commitment to lifelong learning and growing together. It takes a commitment to love as a “CHOICE” and not to love as a “FEELING.” The Bible shares that love is more than a feeling. It is full of action. Each of us can practice learning better ways to love.

Set aside intentional time together for greater conversations and discovery. In maturity and humility, seek first to understand and then to be understood. Love takes work. It is work that is worth the investment!

Action step: Keep on dating! Keep on pursuing! Consistently plan periodic date nights.