About the Author

Now graduated from her role as a homeschooling mom of 8, Dawn Camp devotes her time and love of stories to writing her first novel. She enjoys movie nights, cups of Earl Grey, and cheering on the Braves. She and her husband navigate an ever-emptying nest in the Atlanta suburbs.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Dawn,
    These are ALL great reminders. I especially agree with “Don’t badmouth your spouse in front of others or your kids.” Disagreements remain between the two parties involved! My husband and I like to explore new things together like taking cooking classes together. We also just enjoy doing everyday things together like going to the Farmer’s Market and then stopping for a cup of coffee and conversation. We’ve even learned how to negotiate the Grocery Store together without an argument LOL. Dates don’t always have to be big expensive ordeals. Dating your husband is key to keeping your marriage fresh, I believe. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here…so helpful! I think your Marriage Class should be “Put as Much Planning Into Your Marriage as Your Wedding.”
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Bev, I like that class title! Your comment made me think of something I heard once as a tip for married couples: have something inside, something outside, and a board game that you like to do do/play together. Grocery store dates with a coffee stop are great!

  2. We will celebrate 29 years together this weekend (along with Mother’s Day and a college graduation . . . rain check, honey!) and I’m sitting here Amen-ing every word you’ve written here.
    And I have one of those Day Spring couples journals that needs to get dusted off today . . .

    • Michele, congratulations on the anniversary and the graduation—two BIG accomplishments! I’m so excited this post gave you the idea to use the couples journal. YAY!

  3. I am single. I’m looking forward to the day that God sends me a man after His heart to share with, be respectful toward me & my son and follow these marriage commands. After celebrating church on Sundays, I have a deep heartache to share this time with a spouse. I’ve struggled with this for many years. I’d be a very good wife. Have a blessed day!

    • Kamilah, I’m stopping right now to pray that the Lord sends you the man you seek and that in the meantime, your son has good role models from the neighbors, teachers, and church members around you. Blessings to you both!

  4. Dawn, your insight here is timeless. I too have a passion to see marriages thrive in a day and age where commitment is fleeting. Being intentonal is a daily choice and priority we place upon our marriages. Your reminder of setting a timer to bring to mind an opportunity to pray for your spouse throughout the day is something I’d like to adopt. When our days are full we can still take the time to stop and lift up our spouses. Married for 28 years and thanking God for His provision and renewing our commitment for the journey.

  5. I love these ways to fireproof your marriage but I’d also encourage women to protect themselves from emotional affairs with other men. I did not know how susceptible women are to that, but it’s a slippery slope and you don’t ever think you’d fall for it but its easy to put your self in that position. I won’t go out to lunch one on one with a man, even my boss. Married women should not be spending one on one time with male who is not a blood relative. Plain and simple. With more and more women in the workforce, we need to be more intentional about protecting ourselves from this. I fell into this trap when I was younger thinking “well, I know it’s innocent” or “Well if people want to think something is up, not my problem” what I did not consider was what the man I was friends with though of our relationship and was it as innocent to him or even appropriate? I spent a lot of time taking breaks at work with this person and sharing my thoughts and feelings. It was not an affair by the worlds standards, but it’s a friendship I deeply regret.

  6. Keeping God first and rejoicing in my husband doing the same. Loving God first binds our hearts in His as a completion of His promice to charish our love for one another. Thank you for the word intention. Gods blessings on those marriages and the ones He has in store in the future.

  7. Dawn, great tips!
    You are so right, a marriage definitely takes tending to. I often see those who plan a big wedding for months then within a few years are divorced. I don’t know what the secrets are but like yourself, I met my husband in High School and we have been married 26 years! I think sticking together and learning to love one another in every moment is what helps. ( you may not like that at a moment , lol ) I think as we grow older and become Empty Nesters, it’s easier to find time, but we still have to be sure we are making that quality time and don’t stop dating then, either ! Great idea for the Marriage Class!

    Like Bev, we go to Farmer’s Markets, coffee shops, lunch dates and yes, even Costco and Grocery store trips can be dates . Unfortunately unlike Bev, I often speak loudly as I’m trying to get his attention at the store m which he calls “ yelling” , that I am working on, but he’s often hard of hearing, lol …

    Great jobs, ladies and keep it up!

    Bev, been thinking of you and the upcoming Mother’s Day , hugs and prayers from Texas

    • Jen, thanks for these words! I love what you said about learning to love one another even when you don’t like each other in the moment. I’ve said to my husband before, “I know you love me but I don’t think you like me much now.” We all have our moments! I’ve been thinking on the impending empty nest a lot and I feel like I’ll write on that here at (in) soon.

  8. Dear Dawn,
    I agree 100% with everything you have said, unfortunately after 20 years I continue to struggle with anger and disrespect for my husband.
    Today, with the help of God, I will pick myself back up and work at being the kind and sweet wife my poor husband deserves by taking him out for a little dinner.
    I needed this encouragement.
    Thank you and God bless

    • Maggie, you just made my day. I hope you have a wonderful dinner and it sparks a newfound sweetness in your relationship. God bless!

  9. Thank you so much for this reminder. Also when we as Married couples have to remember when we have row. Not to forget to say sorry and make up before the day is out. Plus never talk about it again unless it something you both need counseling for go get the help please. Stop think of what brought you both together and why you loved either enough to get married in the first place. As Satan the Old Devil is out there today breaking up to many good lovely marriages. Then sitting back having the last laugh. We Christian don’t want to give him that ever. Another reason I believe it is important to make up before the end of the day as married couple say sorry and forgive either. Is you don’t know if you will see the end of the day. Like my Uncle he went for a lie down 19 years ago never woke up again. My Aunt said she never got to say to him she Love him. So that spoke to me. About how important it always tell your Husband or wife you love them. Spend time with them when you can. Make up say sorry and forgive after a row both couples get counseling if needed. Before the day out. As when one of either gone it too late. As I see the saddness 19 years still on my Aunts face and her wish why did I not tell him some time that day I love him. Don’t wait until it too late. Dawn xxx

    • Dawn, thank you for sharing your aunt’s story. It is powerful. You are so right: if you forgive, don’t continue to bring up the fault.

  10. Dawn, yes and amen to this post. There’s so much I could comment on. I will focus on the words you shared about making sure we hang out with friends who value marriage as much as we do. It’s true. I have friends who ended up divorced for various reasons. A couple of them are hard to hang out with because they say things that make me feel guilty for being in a marriage that has lasted over 23 years. It’s uncomfortable to hang around someone who makes me feel bad for being in a happy marriage.

    Early in our marriage, my husband and I were encouraged to pray together before bed each night. We’ve been faithful to do this almost nightly since that challenge went out. This has been a great discipline for our relatonship.

    • Jeanne, thanks for sharing your story. We do better praying as a family than as a couple; it’s something we need to work on.

  11. Dawn, what a great post! I’m printing it out and putting in my prayer journal. I need to really watch my mouth when I get frustrated with my Sweetie, so your post is a great reminder. We’ve been married 8 years (I got married when I was 42) and just became empty nesters. We love to take a pontoon boat out on the lake near our home and just spend time together enjoying Gods creation. Most importantly, I make it a practice to tell him how much I love and appreciate him several times a day … and be intimate as often as possible!

    Thanks for your words, Dawn!!

    Joy in Jesus,
    Lara ✝️

    • Lara, I’m honored you’re including this post in your prayer journal. Since you and your husband got married when you were a little older (I’m not calling you old—I’m older than you!) habits were formed in the years before you were together. I can easily see where that could lead to frustrations. It can be hard to think before we speak, but it’s wise!

  12. Dawn,

    I never ever bad mouth my hubby to anyone else! My job as his wife is build him up. Let him know the many ways I appreciate him. Our date days are few & far between. We have odd schedules. He works weekends & I work some during the week. We’ve been fireproof for 15 years. We dated 10 weeks before we married. Some of our dates were grocery stores. He needed items so I’d say let’s go. Now I don’t care where we go or what we do. I just want time with him. I take time to pray for him & send little email notes his way. He’s been there for me during my aged parents dementia & illnesses. I continually thank him for allowing me to not work for a while & care for dad. Now it’s my turn to help him with his parents.

    Blessings 🙂

  13. Hi Dawn!! I didn’t know you met your husband the last month of your senior year!! wow! talk about God’s timing! 🙂 I love all your tips – esp. the date nights – so important to be a couple when there are so many tasks and “team” type work in being parents. I’m SO looking forawrd to seeing you again – can you believe it? We saw each other that first (in)courage retreat now, writing with each other for !0 years this summer!! So blessed I could be part of your book on marriage! Thank you again for being part of your labor of love! Can’t wait to see you in just a little bit at the (in)courage retreat and enjoy your company this week’s journey, friend! 🙂 love, Bonnie