Let’s face it, our marriages need to be renewed more often than we think. On the chance that you might need a week or two to refresh yourselves – to secure your hearts together again – I thought I’d share what we’ve loved recently:

1. Watch it! If you do anything in these next few nights, I recommend that you do whatever it takes to see the film, Fireproof. We loved this film because it is a true story. It’s our true story. We have experienced very similar transformations from the beginning to the end. The hope offered in Fireproof is not some Hollywood ideal. It is precisely what God did in our lives. And we love to tell the story that He can do it in your life, too. No matter how dismal your circumstances may look today.

2. Eat well! Check out restaurant.com. Ryan has found gift certificates for some wonderful restaurants and has paid a fraction of the cost for some memorable dates. It really is so refreshing to get out and go somewhere new together. ‘Top that off with the opportunity to order an appetizer when you typically wouldn’t and it’s a double treat.

3. Play Lost Cities together. Truly, this game is fantastic. The rounds are quick, the strategy addicting, and the competition thrilling. For some reason, this game has been so bonding for us that we give it to folks as a wedding present. We’ve never met anyone who disagrees.

4. Read aloud to each other. This may or may not work for you; it just happens to work well for us as we sit close to each other, bond with characters together, and invest in beautiful stories together. Usually, Ryan likes to listen, and I like to read. We’ve enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia, Through Painted Deserts, and Peace Like a River. I can’t wait to read the Mark of the Lion series next.

5. Pray. God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Here’s the verse that I’ve been praying for our marriage lately:

“…complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Phil. 2: 2-3

(P.S. If you want to read more about how our story reinforces Fireproof‘s message, check out the guest posts I wrote for Covenant Eyes: A Marriage Restored Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. You could also listen to one of Ryan’s talks here. We are so boundlessly grateful that God is teaching us how to love well, how to stay together, and how to trust Him. Our deepest desire is that other people would experience the same thing.)