#2 Love is Kind

In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

The book states 4 core basic ingredients to kindness: Gentleness, Helpfulness, Willingness, and Initiative. I found it quite interesting when they said, “love in its truest sense is not based on feelings, but rather love determines to show thoughtful actions even when there seems to be no reward.” We never learn to love until we learn to demonstrate kindness. If you think about it…God doesn’t expect anything in return, he demonstrates unlimited kindness and unconditional love.

Andrew and I love treating each other right. In fact, I love being creative and making him surprises, being sneaky and whatnot. I’m usually good at surprising him, however, Andrew just can not hold in his surprises. He even gave me my Valentine’s gifts early because he just couldn’t wait to give it to me. I find it cute…but, I also like surprises when they’re supposed to be given out! Nevertheless, we both find it hard to be creative when something or someone tells you what to do…like our dares. So I pondered all day about what to do for him before I left for night shift. Then quickly realized when I had roommates 3 years before we got married…I loved leaving them encouraging notes before they took exams or left for the weekend. I’d even make a smiley face out of Post-It notes especially if it was a special occasion like their birthdays. Then I remembered one time I sneaked into the Dental school to decorate Andrew’s patient cubicle for Valentine’s Day…thanks to Todd – haha! Todd made sure I got in without getting noticed. Later that day I received a text message on Valentine’s, “I’m going to kill you” making me feel really confused…”is he serious?!” But he loved it, even though he was embarrassed.

So, the Love Dare brought back memories of how great it was to bring a little sunshine in someone’s day. Needless to say, I left Andrew a sweet note of how much I appreciate him and love him…right in front of the TV so he couldn’t miss it.

And, the kindness didn’t end from there. I also ran some errands for him, made him a smore that night with our Smore-maker my grandparents’ gave us for Christmas (so quick and easy and…addicting!!). He recorded Jon and Kate Plus 8 for me and surprised me the next day by letting me know he had helped start my best friend’s birthday gift project.

Little acts of kindness…truly demonstrates and sends lots of love! You definitely appreciate more of each other.

What is desireable in a man is his kindness. ~Proverbs 19:22