Love Journal

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to start sharing family traditions. Traditions are a huge part of my life and they impact decisions I make on a daily basis.  I have the type of personality that will view everything I do as having the potential to become a Tradition. 

My hope is that you too will be able to establish traditions that your family will treasure for years to come. 

Traditions make us spend time together. 

Traditions provide opportunities to show how much you care. 

Traditions provide optimal settings for teaching family values. 

Traditions give us many reasons to celebrate life together. 

Traditions help us stay close to family and friends far away.

Traditions help us build a family identity. 

Traditions make it possible to create family history. 

Traditions bring together the generations. 

Traditions help us organize our busy lives. 

This particular tradition is named, The Love Journal. This tradition falls into the "Show how much you care" category. 

I want to first start off  by saying that it's never too late to start your Love Journal. It will be special regardless of when you start writing.

The Purpose: 

The Love Journal is a special tradition that is particularly for you and your spouse. It's something that will be cherished for many many years.  It's purpose is to be passed back and forth from one spouse to the other as they write special messages to one another. 

It will contain special photos, memories, special qualities, talents, traits, etc listed. 

How to Create your Love Journal: 

It's fairly simple really.  

• Choose your journal. I picked up a journal at Ross for $2.99 that I know will last for years. You could choose to make one (this is totally up to you).  
• You begin the journal by placing about 10 photos of your and your significant other in the front of the book.
• Begin your first entry with a special note to your beloved. 
• Pass it along and keep it going. 

Now obviously, life can get busy. This Love journal does not have to be written in all of the time, but enough that you can create memories.  

Times to write in your Love Journal: 

• Special Celebrations in Life (Birthdays, Anniversaries, Holidays)
• After Vacations
• A job promotion
• When you encounter a new milestone in life (When you become pregnant, have a baby, kids go to college, you buy a new home, move to a new city, etc

Things to Remember: 

• Sometimes you may need to encourage the other to write in it. That's Ok. We get busy and will both forget. Leaving it in a place that the other will see it is a nice reminder. If they still don't get the hint, speak up. Tell them that it's their turn to write and that you would love to hear their thoughts. 
• DO NOT WRITE IN THE JOURNAL UNTIL THE OTHER WRITES. 
• Your journal entries do not need to be long. Just a sweet message will do. 
• When you need a good "pick-me-up" pull out the Love Journal and read it. It will remind you just how special your spouse is to you.