32nd Anniversary, Logo, & Love Song Playlist

32nd Anniversary, Logo, & Love Song Playlist

If you’re a romantic sap like me, then read on! Our Anniversary Tradition typically includes 6 Things: 1. The Anniversary Logo; 2. The Love Song Playlist; 3. The Growing Bouquet of Roses; 4. The Fancy Schmancy Dinner; 5. The Getaway; and 6. Kara’s Valentines Decorations. Our way is one way, not “the” way. What works for each couple (simple or complex, cheap or expensive) is the right way.

I share all of this here as clients and workshop participants often ask for examples of how to keep the love alive. This is one example. I recommend a “Valentines All Year” mentality to keep the romance going throughout the year: weekly date nights, take the time daily to share each other’s days (and really listen), plan get-aways, find thoughtful ways to show you care that are meaningful to your partner, a brief call or text during the day to say, “I’m thinking about you.”

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26th Anniversary Logo & 26 Love Songs

26th Anniversary Logo & 26 Love Songs

I didn’t realize until I made this year’s anniversary logo how much the alphabet had been a crucial part of our relationship and love story. These building blocks are the perfect metaphor. Our relationship has been built from them. Our friendship and our marriage is made up of letters that created the words, laughter, promises, vows, and even the unpleasant fights (that we thankfully learned to move past, change behaviors, forgive, and do better). All of these words are backed up by the foundation of committed behavior tempered by time... 26 years of time to be exact. 

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    24th Anniversary Logo & 41 Love Songs

    24th Anniversary Logo & 41 Love Songs

    It's our 24th Anniversary this month. This marks the year that MORE than half of our lives have been each other's.... A long time ago, I decided I would keep working to win and woo my one "marital customer." I've found it's a fun way to stay focused on her and us throughout the year and makes our anniversary and Valentine's something especially enjoyable to look forward to.... Each year I do the following five things for Kara every anniversary. I guess you could say this is all part of my "Marital Marketing Campaign." So far, she's still buying! :-)

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    23rd Anniversary: I'm 46... Half My Life Has Been Hers

    23rd Anniversary: I'm 46... Half My Life Has Been Hers

    It's our 23rd Anniversary this month. I'm 46-years-old next month. Half of my life has been Kara's. She's also 46. Half of her life has been mine. Listen to this year's Anniversary Playlist with 33 great love songs and read the blog. 

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    21 Year Anniversary Logo, 35 Love Songs & the Concept of Relationship Branding

    21 Year Anniversary Logo, 35 Love Songs & the Concept of Relationship Branding

    About Relationship Branding  Every year I make a new anniversary logo for my baby (I'm a graphic designer wannabe). This year is our 21st Anniversary—"Lucky 21" as in the best hand you can get in blackjack. While, I don't believe in luck in relationships I do believe we have a winning hand. I'm her Ace (her number one). She's my Queen... The Wampum Queen to be precise.

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    20th Anniversary Logo & Playlist

    20th Anniversary Logo & Playlist

    Every anniversary Kara gets a new playlist on (back in the day, kiddies, we called them "mix tapes") of songs I collect throughout the year that represent how I feel about my baby. I generally try to pick songs based on real committed love and not just cheesy love songs. I load these on CDs and we listen to them throughout our day date on our anniversary as we drive around and then she keeps them in her car to listen to throughout the year as she wants. Here's the playlist you can listen to in the background as you do your work today. I would love to hear your recommendations, too. Thanks.

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    Our 20th Anniversary Year-Long Celebration

    Our 20th Anniversary Year-Long Celebration

    You know how business' celebrate their 10th, 20th, etc anniversary of being in business all year long? Well, marriage and family is more important than any business so Kara and I decided today that we're going to make our 20th Anniversary a Year-Long Celebration instead of just on our anniversary date itself and stretch it out throughout 2012 with various big and small celebrations, activities and parties. Woo hoo! 

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    18th Anniversary Logo, Letter & Playlist

    18th Anniversary Logo, Letter & Playlist

    This year’s anniversary logo  is tied into a larger plot to tell the world how I feel about you. The local approach of broadcasting it via your van’s rear window was a good start, however, this year I’m letting the world know through TWO blogs designed to celebrate how lucky I am to have you via giving you Valentine’s All Year: The 52 Love Songs Project and The 365 Love Quotes Project.

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    16th Anniversary Playlist and Momma Songs

    16th Anniversary Playlist and Momma Songs

    Every year for Mother's Day I put together a CD for the mother of my treasures (aka the kids) called Momma Songs. These usually contain songs related to being a mom (serious and silly, rockin' and meaningful) and usually some love songs that reflect my love, ongoing attraction and gratitude for my wife and friend. This year I put together two: One just with mother-related songs and one with love-related songs. I thought I'd share the playlists with you in case you'd like to share a song or two with the woman in your life who makes it all alright. Give mom's due props!

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