6 p.m. rolled around and there was a knock at my door. A cute boy on crutches was standing there. I still remember what I was wearing because I tried on about 17 outfits before I decided on black capris with a white striped button up shirt and a black sweater over it. I made sure my hair was curled perfectly, mascara wasn't clumpy and my lips were shiny with my favorite lip gloss. I even wore a spray of perfume that I overheard him say he liked once, Cucumber Melon from Bath & Body Works. I welcomed him inside as I put my shoes on and my dad of course was there to give him the shot gun and backyard speech, telling him he better take care of his daughter. I was on my very best behavior and wanted to completely impress this boy - it was our first date! Throughout the evening, we made many memories that I will always remember. We ate at Red Robin and went and saw the Blue Man Group show on the Las Vegas strip. Little did I know that that first date over 10 years ago was with the boy that I was going to marry.

Five years later, Tyson and I were married for time and all eternity. It was a wonderful day! We have now been married for FIVE YEARS and are loving every minute of it. I wrote a post a few months ago called 10 Ways To Stay Best Friends Forever With Your Husband. This article has become the most popular post on my whole blog! The first thing on the list of ways to stay best friends is Date Night. That is right - dating doesn't end once we have a ring on our fingers! But HOW do we do this? How do we date our husbands?

Here is a list of SEVEN THINGS we can do:

1. SET A DATE, TIME and LOCATION

Think about your first date with your husband. Did he ask you out? Did you ask him out? Maybe it was even a mutual idea - but I am sure somewhere in the conversation of setting up this first date, you decided on a specific date, time and location. Do that very same thing with your husband. Find a day that works best for your schedules. We all are so busy with work, children and extracurricular activities so set a date and mark it on your calendar. If you have kids, find a babysitter. Then set a time that you would like to leave the house and a location, whether you want to go to dinner or do a fun activity.

2. DRESS UP

99 percent of the time my husband comes home from work or school and I am in leggings with food on them, a sweater with poop on it and my hair is up in a messy mom bun. And honestly, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it just means that I am a mom and that I worked hard at being one that day. BUT when that date and time rolls around, for you to go out with your man, dress up. Do you remember what you wore or maybe how long it took you to get ready for your first date with him? Do it again. Even if you have to try on 17 outfits before you come to a conclusion. Make sure your mascara isn't clumpy and your lips are glossed and shiny. Maybe even wear his favorite perfume. Show him that you care and that you want to look your very best for him.

3. BE ON TIME

Nobody likes a first date that is LATE. So, why are we so flexible after we get married if we are a half hour late? I am beyond guilty of this. I am late EVERYWHERE we go. But try to be on time. I know it is hard when you have a baby tugging at your leg and another one needing a drink out of the refrigerator, but try your very best. He will recognize your effort.

4. LET HIM OPEN YOUR DOOR

Something I always looked for in a guy when I was dating was someone who would open my door for me. If you didn't open my door - that was your first x in my book. There is something that makes us women feel special when a man opens our doors. SO let him. And then thank him for doing so. Just because we are married, doesn't mean they can't still be gentlemen.

5. HOLD HIS HAND

I remember the first time Tyson held my hand "� my initial reaction was, "FINALLY!!"� It took a few dates for him to grab my hand. We were watching a movie at his house with some friends. We both had our hands on our thighs, showing the other person CLEARLY our hands were open and available to grab. Inch by inch our hands got closer and closer and finally he grabbed mine. Chills went through my body - the cutest boy in school was holding my hand! I was so excited. I wanted to keep it forever. Hold your husband's hand. Grab it! Hold it! Keep it! Don't let it go!

6. LET HIM COMPLIMENT YOU

We as wives are pretty critical of ourselves. We all love to be complimented, but when we are, often times we deny the flattering remark. Sometimes we may say "Oh please, I don't look that good,"� or "Whatever. You are just saying that,"� or "No, I look so bad!"� Don't do it. Let him compliment you. Let him tell you that you are beautiful. Thomas S. Monson said, "A woman needs to be told she is beautiful. She needs to be told she is valued. She needs to be told she is worthwhile."� We all deserve to be told that, so when he says it - don't deny it.

7. GIVE HIM A KISS AND THANK HIM

Have you ever had one of those goodnight kisses like in a movie? You get dropped off at your doorstep and you thank him for a great night and then it happens. He kisses you and you like him! And your foot pops and you feel like you might be falling in love. Kiss your husband good night and tell him that you love him. Maybe even a "foot popping kiss"� that makes your heart flutter a bit. And don't forget to thank him for taking you out. Every man wants to feel appreciated.

Whether you are newly married and the beginning of your life with the man of your dreams is just getting started or you have been married for 50 years and are growing old together, I hope you cherish one another. I hope you cherish your marriage and that you will always remember you are NEVER too old to date your husband. Fall in love with him all over again and make your date this week feel like it is.

The post How to date your husband appeared first on FamilyToday.

Often times I find myself taking my relationship with my husband for granted. It isn't until I hear of a dreadful story on the news or talk to a friend who is unhappy in her marriage, that I realize how blessed I really am and how I need to be more grateful to have a fun partner in life!

I once heard a quote by Robert Brault that says, "Enjoy the LITTLE THINGS in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."� I think a lot of time in marriages, we become comfortable and let things slide and change. But after bringing a baby into our family, I have learned the importance of the little things and how crucial it is to not let things fall and alter.

I have come up with five LITTLE THINGS that changed my marriage. They are small and simple, but probably the most profound and significant points and things to do to have a successful marriage.

1. Kiss each other when you see each other

Remember when you were dating and how you couldn't WAIT to see your man? The days seemed like weeks until you got to see him. The time would finally come for you to be together and you would run into his arms and give him a big hello kiss! Do you remember that? Did that happen?

I grew up in a home where my dad kissed my mom hello EVERY single day, without fail, no matter where we were. Kids would be running up and down the stairs, company would be over visiting on the couches, but before he took off his tie or said hello to the visitors - he would head straight to my mom and give her a kiss. Now that I am grown and married, I have learned the importance of these "welcome home kisses."� They really set the mood for the evening. It is always nice to be welcomed home and to feel like you were missed.

2. Hold hands in public

There is something about the touch of a hand. It says, I care about you. I need you. I adore you. I love you. I support you. I've got you. I'll catch you. I want you. One of my favorite things is when Tyson grabs my hand when we are walking down the street or at the mall. It may sound silly and simple - but that is what this list is! It is a simple gesture that will take you a long way. Hold hands and hold them tight.

3. Eat dinner together

Life is so busy! Someone needs to be here, but the other person needs to be there, oh and that needs to be done, but first I need to do this. I mean, life gets really crazy. And the larger your family grows, the more activities you have going on, which in return makes for an even BUSIER schedule. I completely understand that eating dinner together EVERY night may not be possible, but I do encourage you to eat dinner together as MUCH as possible. Sit at the dining room table, turn off the TV and TALK. Talk about your day! Laugh together, complain together and listen to one another.

4. Pray together

Every night before we go to bed, we try to pray together. Sometimes we fall asleep on the couch (oops! Shouldn't admit that!) but we try to go to our bedroom together every night. Before we crawl into bed, we get on our knees and thank our Heavenly Father for the great day that we were blessed with. When you pray together as a couple, you have a connection unlike any other. Not only are you letting God into your marriage, but you get to hear what the other person truly is thinking. I love to hear Tyson pray for me. And I love to pray for him. Some of the most sacred moments in our marriage have been on the side of our bed, kneeling together in prayer.

5. Go to bed together

Like I said, we are guilty of falling asleep on the couch watching TV, but I encourage you to go to bed together. At the same time. One of you may stay awake to read a book, watch a show or cruise social media and that is fine - but I suggest to initially go to bed together. I love the time we have just the two of us each night. When the baby is asleep and we can lay in our bed and just chat. Sometimes we get talking and an hour goes by without us even knowing! That time together is special and creates a true bond between husband and wife.

These five simple things may sound small and easy, but I do know that "through small and simple things, great things are brought to pass."� It really is the little things that matter and if we always remember that, our marriages will be a little healthier and we will be a little happier.

The post The little things that changed my marriage appeared first on FamilyToday.