Secrets To The #BestLifeEver Married Life

#BestLifeEver

Everyone wants to be happy. Especially those who are promised in marriage. 

Mark and Brenda Askew began their best life ever on October 25, 1980. Since then Fall has had a special nostalgic meaning to them. Warm, golden oak trees dance in the wind and hug the sky, blowing crimson carpets of leaves onto a path for their anniversary day stroll. Baked pumpkin pie, cinnamon swirl in hot steaming mugs of nutmeg and her warm smile. What a smile. After 36 years making the best memories, I believe the best of life is yet to come.


What is the secret to wedded bliss? How can you make your married life the #BestLifeEver? There are four basic keys.

1. Get to know yourself well. Your fears, those you truly love, and the things that bring you deep joy.

2. Learn to find happiness in giving little things that have special meaning to the receiver.

3. Make it your aim to share yourself with your spouse and value those moments when he does the same.

4. Remember there is a time for everything under the sun. Know what time it is and respond accordingly. Live in the moment and be supportive.

5. Discuss your expectations with your mate and explain why you choose to be strong, loyal and focused.

6. Put down the cell phone, Ipad and other distractions when you're together. Make each other your distraction.

7. Discuss your budget at least once a month. Get on the same page. Consult before making major purchases or entering credit obligations.

8. Make date night sacred. Just the two of you. No one interferes.

Take a glimpse into Mark and Brenda's 36 years together  here... https://www.facebook.com/Best-Life-Ever-Party-and-Event-Planner-1756357731298288/

For more #BestLifeEver tips go to...
http://www.familyreunionplanning.info

Getting Married? Get My Keepsake Wedding Planner by Wedding Planner blogger Mark Angelo 

Congratulations September Brides and Fiances

Congratulations September brides and fiancees. Congratulations to those who have been wed or will be wed, as well as those engaged in September? This is your month to enjoy this season in a whole new way. 

If you plan on enjoying a honeymoon vacation or a romantic anniversary get-away, this is the month for you to start planning your stay on the love boat.

Seasonal ActivitiesThe astronomical fall (Northern Hemisphere) 2015 begins on Wednesday, September 23. Early fall season events including arts and craft shows, street side bubble shows, outdoor fairs and festivals, music and food fests. special events also including beer and wine tasting.

A Special GiftA special gift just for you September Brides and fiancees. The 7 Days Before The Wedding Countdown Planner. Do you don't sweat the little stuff and don't forget the big stuff. Makes a great wedding planner bookmark. 

DIY CRAFTY GIFT IDEAS

The "7 Days Before The Wedding Countdown Planner Checklist Bookmark"  Makes a great gift and can be used as a printable graphical template for many different craft projects. 

• Print it on a commemorative T-shirt.
• Print it on a fabric neck scarf.
• Print it on a fabric hair scarf.
• Send it to all the Brides-to-be you know.
  
• Print on a tall mug (cut in three sections).
• Print on a slim poster.
• Print on sticky paper for a scrapbook countdown timeline.
• Print and stick to the side of your monitor display.
• Print and wrap vertically around your bed post
• Print and wrap vertically around your Ficus Tree
• Print and hang ornamentally from your chandelier
• Print and attach to the side of your wall poster.

Right click and save the image to a file.

Find vital wedding planning checklists in the newly released wedding planner and organizer Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner guidebook and keepsake.

Autumn Bride Date Night Concert Playlist

Earth Wind and Fire's "Do You Remember (The 21st of September)" and Harry Belafonte's "Try to Remember (The time of September)" takes us back to the cool and mellow days of love. We want to congratulate all you September to November Brides and fiancées. It's time to start making plans for love, life, and laughter this Autumn season. To make that happen, read on for a free Autumn Bride wedding gift.

Autumn is a time to look back and enjoy the warm remembrance of the good old days. Getting cozy under backyard string lights wearing knit sweaters and warm blankets - that's what life is about. As a video music concert projects on the outdoor screen, everyone is sipping warm cider, coffee, and rum, eating sweet potato pie and carrot cake. Hot buttery caramel popcorn is popping and everyone is talking about the good times. We're making special. I'm talking about an outdoor backyard concert. 

Plan your Look-Back outdoor date night concert under the stars. Just create a Youtube video concert playlist of your favorite concerts of yesteryear and recapture the nostalgia of your past with family, friends, and that special someone you're going to build a family with. 

To get started here's an extensive concert playlist written by my bride, Brenda Marie, especially for our Friday evening date nights.  I call it the "YouTube Look Back Date Night Outdoor Autumn Concert Playlist". Use the video concert playlist to get your autumn season outdoor family reunion concert up and running. It's a message of hope, love, gratitude, loyalty and what it means to finally be completely and fully home. 

YouTube Look Back Date Night Outdoor Autumn Concert Playlist

Earth, Wind & Fire - In the stone, September, After the love has gone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfagqCcyE6g

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - I Wanna Thank You (7:22)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_6VaCG3tUE

Levert - Father Sings To Son
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UCI9u-Ps5o

Husband Sings To Wife with Patti LaBelle - If Only You Knew (Oprah) a surprise duet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oorsvJ5VSe4

Harry Belafonte - Try To Remember (live) 1997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFaPImOyGa8

The O'Jays Live "Stairway To Heaven" (1976 Soul Train)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR4tv2wiiqw

The O'Jays "Forever Mine"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfRKzouM9lo

Let Me Make Love To You - The O'Jays (Soul Train)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq3DfTFxRZ8

Levert - Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert - Baby Hold On To Me (Live on Motown Live)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_myr52hHZ0

Levert - Eddie & Gerald Levert - Wind Beneath My Wings (Essence Awards June 13, 1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwvAEIJ3d9I

Stephanie Mills Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qDvQStBqM

Luther Vandross - A House Is Not A Home (Live NAACP Image Awards 1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ9ZVGM7smE

Luther Vandross - Love Won't Let Me Wait (Live at Wembley Stadium 1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ9UHdyZcog

Luther Vandross - Superstar (Wembley Stadium 1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG9MqIFzoUk

Is It Still Good To Ya (Valentines Day Special 7 Ashford & Simpson 2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tPPZkiOI7s

Ashford & Simpson Live at Anthology San Diego (You're All That I Need)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNK9HhCuw8s

Ashford & Simpson @ Paradiso Amsterdam 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=groUCPw1ZE8

Peabo Bryson I'm So Into You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0vM6w04NRI

I Feel Good All Over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tY0GJM5KBw

Create memories while looking back on the sweetest of memories. If your wedding date is a few years away why not plan a Fall Fest Family Reunion Outdoor Concert? There is no better way to introduce your fiancé to the extended family than planning a family reunion. Just follow the step by step reunion planning guide written by seasoned reunion planners Mark and Brenda Askew. Get your copy of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner and plan a warm and cozy reunion this fall season. 

Date Night Idea List

After 35 years Brenda and I are still very much enamored with each other. I sometimes catch her looking and smiling at me while I sleep. A look of peace, affection and yes, that last minute look of 'whoops, you caught me staring again.' It's proof positive that when your willing to work harder on your marriage than anything else in life the dividends are great.

What We've Learned

Have you ever noticed? We are at our absolute worst when we are tired. We're disoriented and fatigued, touchy and snappy.  When rest is lacking we are impatient and disagreeable. That said, our first priority needs to be learning how to put life on hold and rest. It makes all the difference. After getting much-needed rest we can enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening together.

The Importance of Dating

We found this solution early in our marriage and have kept applying it ever since. We call it Date Night. Date night helps keep the home fires burning. Establish a weekly day, afternoon or evening to focus undistracted on the two of you. Turn off the cell phone. Tell your friends and colleagues that you should not be disturbed on this day and then have at it. Dating in this way should never end. Whether you're 24 or 84, it is the lifeblood of a strong healthy relationship between two very busy people.

Hot vs Warm and Cozy

No, we don't aim for a  hot steamy evening full of romantic posturing. We prefer a simple warm and cozy atmosphere. The rest comes naturally. But to make date night work, we had to learn to make five basic rules of conduct a priority. And when we did, date night began to work its wonders on us.

Date Night Priority List
1. Getting plenty of sleep the night before date night.
2. Making weekly date night an unbroken sacred ritual.
3. Choose employment that won't suck the life out of us.
4. Make date night enjoyable and relaxing.
5. No discussions about problems or work-related issues.
6. No distractions such as cell phone calls or texting
7. Let everyone know that date night is sacred and you should not be disturbed

Date Night Ideas List

Date night should be like cooking a crockpot dinner once a week. The ingredients may be few and simple, but it always seems to turn out delicious, filling the house with an amazing aroma. Date night should be carefully planned well in advance. It should be a time to creatively say "I love you" in word or deed. But it should always be simply stated, uncomplicated and stress-free in order to work. That said we've put together what we call an after wedding Date Night Idea List to keep the home embers warm. Share it, print it, pin it, but most of all enjoy it.

Date Night Ideas List

Start planning your wedding well in advance with My Keepsake Wedding Planner - Everything you need to plan your Wedding, Wedding night and Honeymoon.

Congratulations July Brides and Fiancees

A special shout out and congratulations to all our summer brides, specifically those to be wedded in the months of June, July and August. Today we recognise both July brides and fiancees. What a special time of year to advance your commitment of love. Now is the time to take advantage of the special features of the season. 

July is also a great time for a romantic summertime honeymoon vacation. Consider going on a cruise, or enjoy a week stay at a luxury villa. Perhaps a stay-cation would be just as enjoyable? A catered dinner with wine and roses and then cuddle up with that special someone.

And here's a free gift for you. The 7 Days Before The Wedding Countdown Wedding Planner and the After Wedding Date Night Ideas List. 

For more vacation ideas and vacation planning and packing checklists get Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner.


Keep the home fires burning! 
Congratulations and best wishes.

Mark and Brenda

Congratulations June Brides

A special shout out and congratulations to all our June Brides and Fiancees. What a special time of year to advance your commitment of love. Now is the time to take advantage of the amenities of the season. 

June is a great time for a romantic honeymoon vacation. Think cruise, riverside cottage or a luxury villa. Want to keep it simple and local? Dine in your new home, a catered dinner, wine and roses on the balcony under the stars.

- - - - - - -

For a honeymoon planning checklist and activity ideas get your personal copy of Fimark's My Keepsake Wedding Planner. 

How To Say I Love You

Congratulations Fabulous February brides, grooms, fiances and fiancees.

This month the words "I Love You" are the most popular words expressed around the world. Popularity is one thing, but showing how much you mean it is quite another. So how do you say I love you in a way that the recipient knows you really mean it?

It goes without saying, there are an endless variety of ways to express true love.  Experts say, be creative. Others say, be direct. Most say show it, but do so in such a way that the recipient knows exactly what sentiment is being conveyed.

"True love and affection is a gentle kiss on the forehead."

"If you have an overwhelming urge to shout it out across the housetops, you're probably in love."

Since love is about giving, it makes sense to first consider how the receiver will interpret your words, expressions and actions. That said, take some time to find out what acts of love have the most meaning to your loved one and the expressions of love that are most deeply valued. If all else fails hold the person in your arms, gently kiss their forehead and speak softly the words, "I Love You." Next grab her hand, run to the nearest street corner and shout it out for all to hear.

How To Say I Love You

Consider creative ways to celebrate your love and show it each and every day. Go to eBay and find that favorite toy she once had when she was a kid. Write a list of all the things you love most about the person. Take the time to express gratitude for the little things they do for you and others. The best thing about true love is you'll never stop finding ways to express it.

Don't Forget Rings! - 7 Days Before The Wedding Checklist

Find creative and memorable ways to say "Will you marry me."  24 DIY Marriage Proposal Ideas

Get Fimark's My Wedding Planner to plan that special wedding day simply and easily, one step at a time.

Keywords: how to say I love you, I love you
Tags: #ILoveYou,#HowToSayILoveYou,