Shhh. Don’t tell our teenage daughters that tomorrow morning my wife and I are going to get up early and make them one of their favorite breakfasts. You see, they have a Debate tournament to attend, and normally we all just go through the motions to make sure that we get them to their destination on time. No special breakfasts. No getting up early. So why are we going to do this?
Because they are not expecting it.
Four years ago I read a book that had a great idea in it. The author said that he spent an entire year writing in a journal once per day that was for his wife. He said that he wrote down one thing that he noticed that she did that day – or one thing that he wanted to point out in general – that he appreciated about her or what she did. Every day. For 365 days.
I thought, “What a great idea.” I proceeded to do the same thing, but I decided to do three such journals: one for my wife, and one for each of our daughters. I started the day after Thanksgiving in 2014. Over the next 365 days, I wrote a brief entry into each journal. Did I miss a day or two along the way due to “life”? Yes. I would simply double up the next day. Was it easy?
Not at all.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely.
On Thanksgiving Day of 2015 I presented each of them with their own Gratitude Journal. The amazed looks on their faces – combined with the tears of joy that rolled down them – told me that this was one gift that they would remember for the rest of their lives. Why did I do this tedious – and sometimes frustrating – task?
Because they were not expecting it.
My lesson for today is this:
Surprise Them.
It does not have to be a brand new car, or an exotic trip. It does not have to take hours per day – or even take an entire year like the Journals did.
The point is to surprise the people that you love occasionally. By doing that, you will never have to worry about the phrase, “Familiarity Breeds Contempt” creeping into your relationships.
Keep it fresh.
Rekindle the flame.
Surprise them.
You – and they – will be glad that you did.
