Just like when you borrow a friend’s car and you’re supposed to return it with a full tank of gas and a car wash, when your wife comes home from a weekend trip, the house should be in better condition than when she left it. 

Do the dishes. Vacuum. Sweep the kitchen floor. Make sure the bathroom is clean, sanitary, and inviting for her. Have the bed made with clean sheets and neatly stacked pillows. Have the grocery shopping done and dinner made for her. 

When you do the little things, it communicates two things to her. First, it shows her that she has a partner and not another child. Cleaning up after yourself demonstrates maturity and responsibility. Secondly, it shows her that you are thinking about her when she’s not there and that you are anticipating her needs and desires. This, of course, requires that you actually know what her needs are.

Be a lifelong student of your wife. Study her. Pay attention to the little things. And then act on those things. Take every opportunity to win her heart over again and again, day in, day out, until one of you drops dead. 

After that, you’re allowed to take a break.