Make Time for Each Other: The 2-2-2 Rule
When the stress of life gets in the way, it is too easy to skip a date night and go right to bed. Before you know it, it's been months before you and your partner have had one on one time, due to life events getting in the way. The reality of it, is you don’t have to always plan an extravagant outing and it doesn’t have to be every weekend. An easy way to make time for one another is by following the 2-2-2 rule. Think of it less as a rule and more as a reminder: make time for the person you love, wherever life takes you.
Every 2 Weeks Go on a Date
Make time for you and your partner to go to catch a show at the Bijou Theater, plan a picnic at Lakeshore Park, get dinner in Market Square. Rather than spending money every few days or once a week on an expensive meal, go every two weeks and do something you and your partner enjoy. The goal is simply to step away from the everyday routine and enjoy time together.
Every 2 Months Take a Weekend Getaway Together
Plan for a special weekend getaway for you and your partner. Getting out of the house and out of your normal routine will give you the opportunity to make lasting memories with your loved one. This doesn’t mean you have to book a vacation at the beach but simply a two night cabin in Gatlinburg, enjoy the wonders of Blackberry Farm, or even stay the night at the Graduate in full Tennessee orange spirit. Take a look at your calendars, find a weekend that works, and give yourselves something to look forward to.
Every 2 Years Go on a Week Long Vacation Together
Every couple of years, make room for a longer getaway together. Whether it’s a week somewhere out of Tennessee, like Asheville, North Carolina or the cozy Chattanooga, Tennessee, use the time to slow down, explore, and make memories outside of your everyday routine. Going on a week-long vacation allows for fun bonding adventures or even relaxing together by the pool side.
All and all, make time to make memories with your partner, because years from now, it may not be the destination you remember most. It may be the laughter, the little traditions, and the moments you shared along the way.
Learn How Your Partner Feels Loved: 5 Love Languages
Dr. Gary Chapman. Moody Bible Institute
Everyone experiences love a little differently. Understanding how your partner feels most loved can make those everyday moments even more meaningful. One way to explore this is through the five love languages: gift giving, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and quality time.
Gift Giving
For some, love is found in a thoughtful gift. Giving your partner something because you put in the effort to give them something unique to them or just because it made you think of them. It isn’t necessarily about how much something costs. It’s about the meaning behind it; choosing something because you know they’ll love it.
Birthstone jewelry is one way to make a gift feel especially personal. The stone that represents the month they were born being a sapphire, pearl, ruby, a diamond, and more. Their birthstone can be put into a pair of earrings, ring, necklace, bracelet and just about any type of jewelry. Pairing both you and your partner's birthstones is another way of showing how beautiful your love is together.
Physical Touch
Sometimes, love is best expressed without saying a word. A hug, holding hands, a kiss on the cheek, or simply sitting close can be a meaningful way to show someone your care and love for them. Jewelry can become part of these moments, too such as a bracelet that is worn everyday serving as a small reminder of your special someone.
Words of Affirmation
A few meaningful words or a phrase can stay with us for years to come. Whether you are telling someone you love them or leaving a little note to brighten their day, words have a way of making ordinary moments memorable.
For a lasting reminder, consider making those words part of a piece of jewelry though an engraving. Here at Kimball’s Jewelers, we can engrave right here in the store with any type of metal. A date, initials, meaningful phrase, or personal message can turn a beautiful piece into something uniquely theirs for years and years.
Acts of Service
Love can also look like doing something special for your loved one. Either taking something off their-to-do list, or planning the details for a special evening are small ways to show “I’m thinking of you”. Sometimes the most meaningful gestures are the ones that happen without being asked
Quality Time
In a busy world, time together can be one of the most meaningful gifts of all. A date night, a night drive, cooking together, or even just putting the phones away and enjoying the evening in each other's presence. And to add a little more into making a moment even more special, the jewelry you give during these moments can become a part of the memory and hold a loving memory.
The Meaning Behind the Gift
A piece of jewelry can be beautiful and enchanting, but the story behind it is what makes it truly special . There is a meaning behind every gift given to your partner, and that meaning can turn an ordinary pair of earrings into a treasured possession. It's also what gives an engagement ring its lasting value. The diamond becomes a symbol of the promise it represents
The same view can be aimed toward any kind of gift like a bracelet, flowers, their favorite snacks, or a handmade craft. There is thought put into gifts and it shows the extra effort you put into thinking about your partner and knowing all about them. The best gifts aren’t always about the occasion. They’re about paying attention.
There is love in little things and moments between you and your loved one. Showing how much you truly care about your partner can keep the spark alive or just give an extra bit of love.
