The Valentine’s Joy of Small Kindnesses

Getting ready for Valentine’s Day!? We, Jim and Judith, do hope so — most especially if you are involved in any kind of romantic partnership! Are you celebrating the differences between you? If so, that is romance at its best!

For instance, Jim loves dogs, while Judith keeps dogs at a distance (having been jumped on too many times in her younger years). However, on a few occasions for Valentine’s Day, Judith celebrated who Jim really is by giving him little stuffed dogs with a heart somewhere on the little “stuffies.”

There is something so romantic in our differences! Think about it. How important are your differences to you?

It’s been in our differences that we’ve discovered the romantic power, the sweet little passions in what we call “small kindnesses”… the tiny little endearments that continually rekindle romance and keep love ready to move you forward.

Think about it. How do you want to be remembered on Valentine’s Day? Sure, candy and roses are nice. But don’t you want to know that you’re special in the eyes and heart of the one you love — especially for your differences?

Exactly! That’s why small kindnesses are so important. And that is why we encourage you to weave them into your everyday life.

One of our friends packs lunch for his wife every workday and also includes a little love note in her lunch box! She, in return, hides silly jokes around the house that she knows her husband will enjoy.

Another woman we know always greets her husband, who travels a lot for work, with a special pastry upon his return (either one she has made herself or something she has found at a local bakery).

This reminds us of the time when Jim traveled to Chicago to appear on a television show and returned with a beautiful scarf for Judith.

We have been teaching singles and couples about real love and sweet daily romance in seminars, keynotes, newsletters… you name it… for decades. And so many people admit that they have never been aware of the romantic power of “small kindnesses”.

It is one of the keys to how much we still enjoy being together. So our real credentials in the art of romance are the 36 years we’ve been together (35 of those years we have been married). That’s where we learned what we pass along to others.

Here is the #1 question we’re asked, by singles and couples alike… “How Do You Keep Romance Alive?”

83% of men and women who responded to our international survey included that question in some way in response to our question, “What do you most want to know about romantic relationships?”

And, here is what we’ve learned throughout our marriage… How Do You Keep Romance Alive For A Lifetime?

Even if you have a pretty good relationship, you still want to know how to make it better, how to make it more passionate, more fun, more loving.

We’re inviting you inside our relationship, inside our marriage, to share with you what we learned about living your love every day (and, we do mean EVERY DAY).

For example, this morning, in the kitchen, while Jim was waiting for his bread to toast, he wrapped his arms around Judith and said softly, “I love you so much!” And Judith squeezed him back! Sounds pretty simple, right? But think about it. How often do you do that with the one you love?

What can you do in the kitchen, in the hallway, in the back yard that is romantic? Not something that will lead to making love — though that can be delicious, of course! But what we are aiming for is how you can live your love romantically every day and every evening.

Jim often leaves sweet notes for Judith on her pillow — to be discovered before going to bed. Judith loves to give Jim a big hug after we leave the gym, just to acknowledge how Jim pushes us to stay in shape!

Pay attention to the person you love and what they really enjoy. And make sure you find it fun, too!

After all, Valentine’s Day is a time for fun and love and romance! And we encourage you to enjoy the special day, AND to Live Your Love Every Day!!

 

© Copyright 2026 Judith Sherven and Jim Sniechowski. All Rights Reserved.