My parents have been married almost 50 years and they love each other more today than ever. When Mom baked cookies or brownies, she always baked them with nuts. Being a bratty teen, I always said “Mom! I don’t like nuts in my cookies!” And being the outstanding wife she was, she would simply smile and say, “Your dad likes nuts in his cookies. It’s the little things.”
“Nuts in cookies” became a metaphor for me in my life. My parents taught that love is something you DO. Love is a verb. My husband and I often joke about “nuts in cookies.” He likes little notes and cards. He likes to kiss me even when I have on lip gloss and don’t want to get it on him. He says to me “Babe, it’s a nuts in cookies thing.” So, I kiss him. A lot.
My husband often tells me how grateful he is for me. Taped to our bathroom mirror are two notes. One says “nuts in cookies” as a reminder to do the little things my spouse likes, and the other note says “What can I do today to make him/her happy we’re married?” My parents and you, Dr. Laura, have substantiated my belief in how to keep a marriage strong and happy!
Samantha
How One Small Phrase Keeps Our Marriage Strong