A boy and girl are seated next to each other in the park. The cold afternoon temperature is making the hair on his arms stand up.

He sizes up the situation by thinking, "To heck with it, either she will or she won't." Gets off the bench and bends down on one knee. Attempts to get the ring from his pocket. Fumbles because of the sauerkraut on his fingers.

The ring clinks on the ground…

He stares up at her, not really having played out the surprising uncoordinated turn of events in his mind's eye. He's astonished to find her crying. She hugs him firmly and tells him softly, "Yes, you don't even have to ask, sauerkraut fingers!"

Happily ever after might be the fitting ending line. But marriage is a continuing endeavor. It takes effort to keep love alive. Many people become inattentive after a few years of marriage. Unaware that our partners want unstructured romance. They might not show it but they do.

A little enthusiasm now and then lasts a long time. Lifelong commitment is the promise of marriage. Taking that into consideration, let us work diligently in the cause of creating joy. Short of joining stand up comedy workshops, we must bend over backward to make certain that they laugh (or, at the very least, smile) on a daily basis.

Okay, so you're admittedly the most unexciting person you know. What you lack in comedy, you can offset by your thoughtfulness. Taking notice of them and yourself.

Yes, that's not a joke. Tidy yourself up. Having lots of little tykes or grandtykes running around doesn't mean you have to go around looking old. Go to the grooming shop. Get a haircut. Go shopping. Buy clothes that give you that chic yet unforgettable look. Have a complete makeover.

Make an appointment to come to my Ashburn dentist office and you'll get your teeth made over in a way that will have your spouse trembling with exhilaration. When I'm finished getting the Ashburn porcelain veneers just right, you'll look like you time traveled back to the day you got engaged. Let me look after your teeth. You can look after everything else.