Hello Again!

Love is in the air and it is Valentine's Day once again! I am sure that there are many stories concerning the origin of Valentine's Day, and I certainly am not going to add to them. I am just thankful that we have a day to force us to take time from our day-to-day grind to recognize one of our most important investments, our significant other.

Human relationships are funny things. Just when you think that you have them figured out, something comes along that throws the whole ball of wax into a different shape. According to statistics, we prefer couple relationships in our country but they can be tricky things. As a wedding consultant, I end up dealing with some issues that I would not normally encounter and relationship-building questions are common. I will give you some tips that just may help you!

Remember that your significant other is still an individual with his or her own dreams, desires and needs, so please respect and treat him or her accordingly. Try to remember the special way that you behaved to each other when you first came together as a couple and continue to repeat those actions to build good habits!

An often over-looked item is to treat one another with courtesy and kindness. Use your manners with one another; please and thank you work well from the cradle to the grave. Be aware of the habits that you are establishing and make certain that they will affect your life and your special person in a positive way.

Give your special someone a permanent place of priority in your life. He or she should not have to wade through emails, answering machines and appointments to speak with you. As much as possible, provide immediate, direct access for them at all times. Sometimes life will be harsh; always be there for each other and encourage one another to be their best person.

Know your special one's strengths and weaknesses and work with them. One of you may be more adept at balancing the checkbook while the other is great at organizing, so assign tasks accordingly. One couple I know has agreed that he will vacuum if she will dust. The balancing act works; both are spared a task that they find distasteful and the home is clean. That is a win-win situation!

Set positive, lofty goals for your life-long relationship with one another. It may be that you will not achieve all the goals that you have set, but then again, who knows? You just may! Even if you do not, you will be emotionally richer in your relationship and will have attained more than if you had set little or no goals. I must confess that this last item is from my personal marital experience. I have been with the most wonderful man and best friend for almost twenty-seven years and we continue to set, and meet, rewarding and challenging goals. I am definitely richer in many ways because of our relationship together, and that is one of the many reasons that I continue to believe in the institution of marriage!

One more thought and I will close; it takes two to make a successful relationship. The ideas that I have given are not meant for just one partner in the relationship, but both.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to start investing in your relationship together. Happy building!

Until next month -
Greta Chaney