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Text Your Love

March 01, 2012

A text?

Who would have thought that texting could be an effective way for spouses to express affection, to convey "I'm thinking of you"? So much of the time, we hear and read about modern technology coming between us. Apparently, it doesn't always have to be that way.

Research reported in Family Relations (April, 2011) noted that in a study of married couples, the single most common use of texting between spouses was for the expression of affection. What a great concept during these over-scheduled times, when spending thirty seconds sending a caring message can truly promote relationship closeness. Consider these approaches:

  • Snap a photo of something you see that you think your partner would enjoy. Send it as a text with a thoughtful message.

  • Surprise your spouse in the middle of the day with a few texted words of love and affection.

  • Photograph your lips in a mirror, and text the image over with the words "Consider yourself kissed." (Keep the photo on your device and re-use it from time to time. After a while, omit the text — the image speaks for itself.)

  • Text unique abbreviations that are shared only between the two of you. For example, ILYCD (translation: I love your cute dimples).

  • Use your imagination ... the possibilities are endless.

References & Citations

(EDITOR'S NOTE: A reader emailed us after last month's Tip, Husbands: Warm It Up. He suggests that despite research failing to find a positive effect on husbands' heart health from wives' "warming it up," it wouldn't hurt for wives to practice this attribute anyway. We thank this reader for a wise and sensible addendum.)