After five sweet years of marriage, we were expecting a baby. About a second after we started talking about expanding our family, we were pregnant, so there had been very little time to discuss the hypothetical changes and only time to see the reality of spending hours moaning on the bathroom floor. There was an immediate 180 degree change from baby-making to baby-growing, and it marked an incredible change in our marriage. Nine months later, our bouncing baby boy joined the family, and once again, our marriage changed. Here are a few of the love lessons we've learned over the years:

• True love is shown in service to others. While he couldn't possibly understand how it felt to be pregnant, he never once questioned my needs or feelings. He took care of me patiently and unendingly, and I fell in love all over again.
• True love is shown in communication. We truly value each others' experiences and feelings. Share the details of your day everyday.
• Have common experiences. Even for couples who don't have a lot in common, find something to do together that's your thing. Make this someone other than what you do as a family unit, so that you'll continue to grow as a couple even as you're growing as a family.
• Talk lovingly about each other. Don't speak badly about your husband to friends or complain without balancing that with compliments. 
• Look for actions to affirm and thank. Thank each other for taking care of the kids. Thank each other for doing chores around the house. Affirm the great qualities you see in the other.