Nurturing relationships: Margie Foster

Relationships are the heart of life, and like a plant, they need nurturing to thrive. BY MARGIE FOSTER, Inspire Me Women.

My husband and I have a few simple, practical ways to keep our relationship strong, and I’d love to share some of these with you.

The quarterly reset: A time to pause, reflect, and set goals. We sit down together and map out:

Personal goals: What we want to achieve individually?

Professional goals: The direction we are heading in with work.

Family goals: What do we want to do as a family? Family goals this year are to celebrate everyone’s birthdays with special gatherings, and to plan two family trips. Writing goals down gives them weight, and seeing them on the calendar keeps us accountable.

Reignite date night: It’s easy to let slide when life gets busy. We’ve made a conscious effort to bring it back. Here’s how we do it:

Fortnightly date night: Every second Tuesday, and non-negotiable.

Take turns planning: It keeps things fresh and fun.

Simple, creative ideas: A walk along the beach, game of cards, sharing an ice cream, a casual dinner out. The key is discipline – no matter how tired we are, we commit to showing up for each other.

Clarity & communication: Every relationship benefits from clarity. We’ve learned to openly discuss our different approaches to life, how we manage our time and handle challenges. Understanding that we can have different styles while working towards the same goal has been game-changing. It’s all about respecting individuality while staying connected as a team.

Surprises, big & small: Never underestimate the power of a small, thoughtful gesture. The simplest things can make the biggest impact. A handwritten note,
a favourite snack, or an unexpected “just because” gift will brighten someone’s day.

Final Thought: Remember it’s the small, consistent acts of love that keep a relationship alive and thriving.