Valentine’s day is rapidly approaching. Do you dread it? Do you get excited? Do you think it is a stupid holiday? I regularly work with couples that dread, get excited, or roll their eyes when I ask if they are doing anything for Valentine’s day. I typically suggest that couples make Valentine’s day special for their relationship. I don’t suggest such a thing to place some value on a holiday that some may think is stupid, cheesy, unnecessary, or simply economically driven. Rather, I think any reason for a couple to make a fuss over each other is worthwhile.

Most couples don’t do enough to keep courting one another after marriage. The addition of children, schooling, jobs, mortgages, health problems, ageing, and a host of other demands results in couples placing the couple relationship on the back burner. Sound familiar? I don’t suggest neglecting important demands in the family, however, couple relationships will rarely pull on couples as much as most other demands in their lives. Valentine’s day is an opportunity to put the other demands on the back burner and focus on your couple relationship. Put your feelings about the holiday away for the day, and just make a fuss over your spouse. Find a babysitter, make some reservations, get out of the house, and re-create a night out like the ones that helped you fall in love in the first place. You may find that Valentine’s day becomes something to look forward to each year.