20 things you should be doing for your Valentine on a daily basis!

For this Valentine's Day, I know that many of you are scrambling to find the right Valentine's Day gift--maybe flowers, a beautiful card, clothes, a new car, perhaps even new shutters for your house. One of the gifts you could give to your Valentine is doing just simple things every day, not just on Valentine's Day. In fact, Valentine's Day can be a daily occurrence. 

Valentine hearts 

This year why not commit to 20 things you should be doing for your Valentine every single day!

Life is full of lists we need to do, from shopping to what to buy to homework assignments. No list is more important for men than the 20 things you should be doing for your true Valentine on a daily basis. Once you figure that out, you may be home free.

#1: Tell her you love her—You must tell her you love her more than once per day, including when you leave and when you come home. Because texting is so popular, you can even text her although telling her face-to-face is the most important and intimate.

#2: Show her you love her—Of all of the things you need to do every single day is this one: Show her you love her. You can tell her all you want, but showing her is the sauna of everyday living. Show not telling is the writer’s mantra and should be a husband’s. Thousands of ways exist on how to show your wife you love her. Be creative. Every. Single. Day.

#3: Pick up after yourself—Nothing is less sexy or even unsanitary than heaps of clothes, shoes, socks, candy wrappers, etc. lying everywhere. Surely you can spend the few minutes to put away your shoes, place your socks in the dirty clothes, or even hang up your pants. It’s just plain laziness to just flop stuff on the floor or pile a zillion T-shirts on the chair next to your bed.

 #4: Clean around your sink—Yuck! One of the most unsanitary places in America today, aside from your computer keyboard, is your sink. Clean it every day and reach over and clean your spouse’s. She will be pleasantly surprised and grateful. Promise!

 #5: Iron your own clothes—Perhaps, all of your clothes are the no iron kind. Congrats! But there are some husbands whose dress shirts need to be iron, pants to be touched up, or even suit jackets to be steamed. Try doing it yourself. You would be surprised how relaxing—and even therapeutic—it really is.

#6: Write a note—This could be the easiest one you do. Your note doesn’t have to be on the cutest paper in the world. You could easily write on any piece of paper, including toilet paper, and put it in her pocket or out where she can see it. You could even put a sticky note on the mirror in the bathroom.

#7: Make the bed—Or at least help make the bed. It’s always easier when two make the bed, and it takes just a few moments of your time. There is just something about completeness when the bed is made.

#8: Don’t complain—Surely, you can refrain from complaining once per day. Make it twice tomorrow. Complaining is a sign of morbid pessimism.

#9: Read to her—Now, you may not be a reader, but reading to her something every day shows a bit savvy about things. It could be one of the comics from the daily paper, a scripture or two, or an incredible passage from the novel you are reading.

 #10: Brush your teeth—Okay, this one should be done more than once per day, but brushing your teeth the moment you get up and then after you breakfast will definitely reap benefits. Freshness is always the key to happiness.

 #11: Don't ask about what needs to be done—Having to ask definitely shows you are non-observant and not dialed in to what is happening around your house. She probably has hinted and maybe even come right out and said, “Dear, would you do this?” Be observant; look around; listen to her.

 #12: Put the dishes in the dish washer—Mega-easy task! Climb off your stool/chair, grab your utensils and cereal bowl, and walk the three feet to the dish washer. There is no reason to leave them in the sink or on the table.

 #13: Pull in the garage straight—Garage space is sacred space; so, make sure you pull in straight and on your own side. Encroaching on her spot is not cool. If her car is outside, go ahead and put hers away, too. It’s one of those showing-you-love-her things.

#14: Take care of the garbage—It’s always your turn to take out the garbage. No questions asked.  

#15: Lock the doors and turn out the lights—At night, walk around the house, lock the doors, and turn out the lights. Your spouse will feel much safer if you have done due diligence.

#16: Give her a hug or two—This is a no-brainer. Hugs in the morning. Hugs when you come home. Hugs when you go to bed. Make sure they aren’t just a mere squeeze. Give her bear hugs.

#17: Complement her how nice she looks—Complimenting your lovely bride once a day—or even more would be a good thing—reaps huge benefits.

#18: Help with the dishes without being asked—This one is different than putting your dishes into the dish washer. If you or your spouse cooks, which they normally do, jump right in and help with the dishes, either washing or drying.

#19: Make one of the meals—What? Make one of the meals? That may mean you have to learn how to cook something, learn how to heat up leftovers, or even create a salad. You will be totally surprised how she reacts if you arrive home first and have a delicious meal prepared for her.

#20: Have an incredible conversation each day—In today’s society with all the technology, streaming video, long work days, too many distractions, etc., we seldom have time for real conversation. Your marriage and your relationship with your wife will endure even longer and become stronger when you take the time to have an incredible conversation with her. It’s almost a reconnection each day.

Memorize the list, add to it, and, oh, and always remember two important words: “Yes, Dear.”

Happy Valentine's Day!

*From https://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/06/20-things-wife-every-day/

Louise ZoBell: Miracles and Shining Moments

Louise ZoBell: Miracles and Shining Moments

Louise at the 2024 Gala

With a heavy heart, I pay tribute to my eternal friend and colleague, Louise ZoBell who passed away following hip surgery in her beloved Dominican Republic!

I met Louise over the phone in 2012 when Joanne and I were serving as Welfare Specialists in the Caribbean Area Welfare Office for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a request to help one of her friends to obtain a prosthetic leg, which happened through the Church's humanitarian program. That was the beginning a wonderful friendship over the past 14 years.

I discovered quickly that Louise is a goer, an influencer, someone constantly in motion, and a friend to all! Once she puts her mind to something, she does not let up until it is done. Perhaps, more importantly, Louise is an inspirational leader who constantly exudes humility and gratitude for everyone who has helped the Dominican Starfish Foundation.

Anyone who has been around her knows that she gushes thankfulness and gratefulness for many, many things. Both her humility and boldness are in her DNA. Her wonderful boldness was effusive and heartwarming simultaneously.

People flocked to her, and she flocked to people. It seemed like a melodic and harmonious dance all the time with her and her desire to make the Dominican Starfish Foundation an organization encompassing and inclusive. We all had to hustle to even keep up with her.

Amarilis and Louise

I know that thousands and thousands of people from all over the world, particularly her Dominican friends who she loved dearly and served effortlessly, are mourning her death here on earth, and thousands and thousands of others are clapping for joy because of her arrival on the other side.

Her vision was forthright and comprehensive! She once said: “As more get involved with our vision, the little grass-roots foundation we started from our home in Stirling, Alberta, Canada, will make an amazing difference, one family at a time, one community at a time, and more.”

And that’s exactly what she did: made a difference, one individual, one family, and one community at a time, binding and connecting hearts, minds, and souls.

As she said to me many years ago, ““I am thankful to be the hands of the Lord in this project….I am thankful that I have the drive to continue. I am so thankful for those who have donated…. I am so grateful for all these people who have shared our dream and mission.”

Louise, we are eternally grateful to you for allowing us to participate in some way to help you with your dream and mission.

Louise, Joanne, and Darrel at the Gala

May we all continue to remember Louise’s goodness, kindness, love, compassion, sweetness, and hundreds of other descriptors of a woman destined for eternity with her Heavenly Father and Mother.

We love you, Louise!

Sunrise in Puerto Plata