Make Your Other Half Feel Special

I was sleeping with one eye open on the television one morning and a segment on one of those morning long news shows comes on offering advice to make your spouse or other half feel special and not so left out during the holiday season.

Two things popped into my mind. One is that this advice should be taken all year, not just during the holiday rush. Isn't this why we have or are trying to meet that someone special, so we can show them on a daily basis why we think they are special? I dunno, could be just me. I miss that part of a relationship...doing the extra things for someone. I suppose I could continue that practice with my cat but she really doesn't appreciate those gestures.

The other thing I remember thinking is that we shouldn't need the morning news to tell us how to make the special ones in our lives feel more than adequate. Yes we live in a McDonald's society where everyone, even our pets expect instant gratification but we need to remember to take extra time and special attention for all of our loved ones. I could be wrong but isn't this time of year for showing those closest to you how you feel about them and how special they are anyway. Who cares if you dry cleaner got your holiday card or your second cousin's father-in-law receives a gift from you. Christmas...well life in general...is about making the ones who truly hold a place in your heart remember why or even that you love them.

Years ago when my husband and I decided we wanted to get married, the preacher I contacted...he was my youth minister...conditionally agreed to perform the marriage ceremony. We had to attend counseling sessions and when he felt we were ready for the nuptials, he would let us know. Part of the counseling was advice for a happy marriage (I know its ironic know, but it would have worked if my ex had followed this advice).

Fool-proof advice for successful relationships from a divorcee

The one and only thing I remember from those counseling sessions was this. The preacher said its important not to keep score in the petty acts of selfishness but to try to out-give the other, and not in a materialistic way. Go out of your way to do the little and special things for your other...and if they come back with some special act of kindness then its ok to one up them.