Earn A Degree In...Your Spouse

One of the best ways I've found to enhance my relationship with my wife is to become a student of her. It's not an idea unique to me. I don't remember where I got the idea. But it's served me well over the years.

By becoming a student of our spouse, we intentionally try to learn all we can about them and apply that learning to life. For example, in my learning about my wife I discover she likes to read novels while sipping coffee at a coffee shop. That's the nugget of information. Next, I apply it to life by remembering for her birthday to get her a good book and $5.00 gift card to Panera Bread where she can go and get coffee and read on her day off.

The nuggets of information can be anything. Here are some questions to get your creative juices flowing. Have fun with the process!

• What are their favorite TV shows?
• What music do they like?
• What style of clothing to they like?
• How do they like to spend time off?
• What is their favorite candy?
• Favorite holiday?
• What gets them mad?, Happy?
• What are they most afraid of in life?
• How did 911 impact them?
• Do they like snow? Humidity? Fog? Wind?
• Are they a hugger or a hand-shaker?
• Are they a morning person or like to stay up late?
• What is their favorite place to visit?
• Who do they admire?
• Who do they want to be more like?
• What's their favorite color?
• Do they like to be tickled?
• Is their hair naturally curly or straight?
• What kind of shampoo to they use?
• Do they sit close to the steering wheel or far away from it when they drive?
• Are they drawn to organization or creative clutter?
• What household chores to they enjoy? Which ones do they abhor?
• What is their view on capital punishment?
• How dependent are they on their mother?
• What kind of relationship do/did they have with their father?
• Do they still have siblings alive? What place in the birth order are they?
• Do they like their pillows soft or firm?
• Do they like to swim?
• Are their hands always cold or warm?
• What is their vision prescription? Do they prefer contacts or glasses?
• Do they snore?
• What is their going-to-bed routine?
• What is their getting-ready-for-the-day routine?
• Watch how they brush their teeth.
• Watch how they talk with an introvert. An extrovert.
• Watch what their face does when they laugh.
• Do they swing their arms when they walk?

When we are learning about our spouse and apply the learning for greater intimacy, we love & honor them. When we honor them, our marriage is stronger. When our marriage is strong, we can Serve Strong!