It’s February and love is in the air! I’ve received a dozen offers for discounts on roses and every time one arrives in the mail, I wonder why it’s being sent to me rather than to Jim. I know he has NO desire to receive roses as a gift! We’ve joked that coupons always come in my name and when he wants to buy me a gift, he has to pay full price. I COULD just hand him the coupon for the Coach store with the item I want written on the back of it, but that wouldn’t be romantic, would it? I have to admit though, the thought has crossed my mind!
Many of us have felt the need to cut back on our spending lately and you may be thinking you can’t afford to show your love this Valentine’s Day. But I’m here to tell you money has NOTHING to do with showing love to that special someone in your life. It just takes a little thoughtfulness.
Here are 20 simple ways to show your love this Valentine’s Day:
1. Give a compliment.
Nothing makes me feel more special than when Jim compliments me.
2. Smile.
When Jim is at a busy concert, or working in the studio, a simple smile from across the room can make my day.
3. Give a shoulder massage.
A favorite of mine!
4. Watch the sunrise / sunset together.
For us, it would be a sunset, you all know Jim hates getting up early!
5. Listen.
There’s nothing that says I love you more than listening to what your loved one has to say. When you listen you’re telling them, “YOU are valuable to me!”
6. Encourage.
Isn’t encouragement something that we all need?
8. Give a foot rub.
This one’s great too!
9. Hide a love note where the other will find it.
Jim and I still write notes to one another, and especially enjoy hiding them in each other’s luggage when we travel apart.
10. Have dinner by candlelight.
Nothing speaks of romance more than candlelight!
11. Get their car washed.
Often, when I’m leaving for a trip, Jim will take my car and have it washed so it’s nice and clean when I head out on the road. How thoughtful!
12. Fill their car with gas.
Jim is always filling the car with gas for me. It’s such a gentlemanly thing to do!
13. Take a walk together.
We have friends who’ve made it a nightly ritual of taking walks together. It’s their time to reconnect. Lovely!
14. Mail them a card, even if you live together.
Since we travel so much, Jim and I often mail cards to one another. It feels like we’re dating again.
15. Look into their eyes and say “I love you!”
The eyes are the windows to the soul. So what better way to show your love than by letting your sweetheart look into your soul?
16. Send a romantic text.
It was during a concert that Jim sent me a text telling me although he was singing in an arena filled with people, he’d rather be with me. I saved that text for at least two years, until I had to buy a new phone. I would read it over and over again because it made me feel so special and today, the memory still lingers in my heart!
17. Give respect.
It’s impossible to truly love someone you don’t respect. The two go hand in hand. Show respect and they’ll feel loved.
18. Pray Together.
When you pray, you are more vulnerable because you are baring your soul to God. Love allows you to share this together.
19. Call them on the phone.
A quick “Hope you’re having a good day / I’m thinking of you” call can easily show you care.
20. Tell them WHY you love them.
When Jim says “ I love you because...” I know he’s put thought into why he loves me and that makes me feel even more loved.
I don’t know what you have planned for this Valentine’s Day, but I hope you’ll put some extra thought into it because a gift given with love and thoughtfulness is always better than anything you could ever purchase!
Author: Melissa Brady
| Author's Website: http://jimandmelissabrady.com
Written: 02/01/2009
| 
Category: Love Stories
Comments: 0
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
| 
Jim and Melissa Brady
February is the month of LOVE, and I thought that I would take the opportunity to talk to a young couple about marriage and love. Let me introduce to you Jim and Melissa Brady. Jim sings baritone for the Booth Brothers and Melissa sings as a soloist.
While interviewing the couple, the first sentence out of Jim Brady’s mouth was, “I found the secret of a successful marriage.”
“What would that be?” I asked.
In all the profound wisdom that a Baritone can muster, Jim said, “I take Melissa to WalMart and let her buy anything she wants.”
Although we were on the phone, I could see Melissa giving him that “look”. You know, that look that says, “Jim, you better let ME do this interview.” Going on in his wisdom, Jim also said that the other secret to a happy marriage is that there is "no sharing at Starbucks."
I asked Jim if Melissa ever went to the Mall without buying something and Melissa quickly jumped in stating, “Sometimes it’s not the spending, but the chase of the item.” Jim added that he could remember once or twice when she didn’t “buy” something.
Sensing that Jim was pretty much out of witty wisdom, I moved on to Melissa. She quickly informed me that they had been happily married for 12 years. To which I could hear Jim’s head nodding in agreement.
After 12 years of marriage the Brady’s are one happy couple, but still individuals in themselves. Their differences are what make them stronger. For example, Melissa likes to read in her spare time, while Jim likes to listen to CDs for his pleasure.
Jim and Melissa met at a Gospel Jubilee where they were singing with their families and both of their Dads were preaching, so they knew each other for a while before they were ever attracted romantically. Music is a common bond between them. They both sing and they both write songs and sometimes they do it together.
I asked what attracted Melissa to Jim, and without any hesitation she said it was his kindness.
Melissa said, “I saw how kind he was to his sister and Mother, and I knew that he would be that kind to me as his wife. He has never failed to treat me with kindness through all our years of marriage.”
How does a young couple keep it together when the husband is on the road so much? What is the key to keeping a happy marriage under stressful conditions? Jim says that when he is home, Melissa is his top priority and he makes it a point to spent quality time with her.
Jim said, “A good relationship doesn’t just happen, you have to work at it.” By making her a priority, Jim makes a date with her. “A date” says Jim, “is a planned evening, one that has been thoughtfully planned out, not just saying ‘Let’s go out to dinner’, and jumping in the car.” Sometimes a “planned date” is just spending the evening at home watching a movie, but Jim has already made plans and gotten the movie and ordered the pizza. Other times their “planned date” is a stroll through the mall that always ends up with a “planned” stop by Starbucks. I did tell you that they NEVER plan to share Starbucks. “The reason for that”, Melissa said, “is because Jim drinks it all.”
Jim also said that planning ahead can create some really good “brownie” points. He reminisced about the time last year when Melissa couldn’t go on a cruise that the Booth Brothers were singing on, because she had a prior singing engagement herself. It happened to be the week of Valentines Day. A couple of weeks ahead of time, Jim called a florist in the city where she would be and had flowers sent to the hotel she would be at on Valentines Day. Melissa was thoroughly impressed and agreed that it did get him major “brownie” points. One lesson that Jim had to learn the hard way was to turn off the telephone on their dates. Apparently Jim messed up several dates before he finally caught on that the phone ringing was usually a business interruption that ruined the whole evening.
Interestingly modern technology helps them deal with the problem of being apart. Jim says that he doesn’t know how he would make it without his cell phone. They talk everyday and that really eases the tensions of being apart on tough days. It may sound like a cliché, Jim says that when they are out of touch with the cell phones, they depend on each other prayers and trust God for his protection.
I asked Melissa how difficult it was in making the decision for Jim to go with the Booth Brothers. “Actually, not hard at all” was the reply. About a year before Melissa, Jim, and Melissa’s Dad quit singing as the Shulers, they knew that some change was about to happen. They never dreamed that it would be Jim going with the Booth Brothers, but they knew that a change in their ministry was happening.
Melissa enjoys being Jim’s cheerleader, and Jim said that there wasn’t any way that he could do what he does with the Booth Brothers without her support. At this point in their lives, they thank God for putting them together, and for making them best friends. In fact, it was Melissa’s encouragement that convinced Jim to take the position with the Booth Brothers.
Melissa is quite the singer in her own right and when that “burn” to sing hits, she is blessed to sing at some women’s conferences. Melissa is in the process of making a solo CD of her own.
Jim and Melissa have just released a CD of love songs. Something we don’t see enough of is music that Christian couples can enjoy romantically. It really is kind of hard to get romantic listening to “I’ll Fly Away.” Jim said that this particular CD came about by accident. They had written some love songs for their wedding, and a couple of others were written for other couples weddings, and before long someone suggested that they put it all together for a CD. Sure enough, they had just about enough material for a full length CD. The got together and wrote two more songs to complete the project and now they are blessing couples all around the country with their LOVE songs. By the way, they will soon have tracks available if you are planning a wedding. The Booth Brothers also carry it on their table and Jim said that men and women of all ages are testifying to the fact that these songs are blessing them and touching their marriages.
After spending an hour chatting with Jim and Melissa for this article, I can tell you that they truly do seem to be “one happily married couple”.
http://www.jimandmelissabrady.com
http://www.boothbrothers.com
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 01/31/2005
| Category: Feature Articles Comments: 15 RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
Thanks, Deon, for a very interesting piece about a lovely couple. May God continue to bless them as they serve Him with their talents.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Jim & Melissa are truly a wonderful, talented, sweet couple! I've known them for years and don't get to see them often, but I always enjoy the times I am able to be around them. I also appreciate Jim's testimony and influence on my own son, Joseph Habedank, who is in the SG industry as well.
Dear Deon,
This couple is truly a "model" for a happy marriage. I’m around them enough to see that even on their worst day, they show the kind of respect and love for each other that God intended. As individuals, they are both very giving and kind with amazing song writing ability that they use to honor the Lord. Together, they are a dynamic duo that is unique, fresh, and just a blessing to watch! Get their CD for a taste of that blessing.
Jim and Melissa are an inspiration in their relationship with each other and the Lord. Their CD 'Our Love Songs' is absolutley wonderful. God truly blessed with them with the ability to write wonderful love songs and when they sing them together with their sweet voices...well...it is simply beautiful. They have a website at http://www.jimandmelissabrady.com where there are sound clips from the CD. This is such a unique project and is great for couples in love with other and with the Lord...no matter what their ages or how many years they have been in love. Again....simply beautiful.
Deon - - thanks for this GREAT story. This is a very special couple. We are so thrilled that Melissa joined us at the Steve Hurst School of Music last summer. She is a very special lady and the students loved her. Jim is a wonderful young man and he is a vital part of the Booth Brothers.
Does Jim & Melissa want to have a family down the road because I guess touring and all of that really kind of makes them busy? They would be wonderful parents indeed as they are a sweet couple.
I have known Jim Brady for more than 20 years. In that time he has become one of Gospel Music's best singers. Night after night he just nails it!
When the Shulers were singing as a group they were as good as anyone. Period! Their music is still at the top of my list.
Just let me say how very proud I am of Jim and Missy. They are true christians and an awesome example of what a couple should be. They are not only my friends but they are my family. Jim is my brother and I coud not be more proud of him! Jim is doing what he always wanted to do his whole life. He is singing and writing some of the best songs I have ever heard! All I can say is I am blessed by their Love songs C. D. and also by their love for each other and love for the LORD. Truly this is an awesome couple!!!!!
I loved listening to the clips on the site... What a beautiful site to.
I personally came to FL to hear the Brady's sing their love songs. They stole the show. The Booth
After seeing the Booth Brothers on a Gaither video, I became an instant fan, then my first opportunity to see them live in Wisconsin in 2004, of course, included Jim Brady -- with a special appearance from Melissa. What a treat! What is most impressive to me is not just the quality of their performances but the energy and commitment to the Lord that is obvious in everything that they do. Thank you for bring more about this fantastic couple to the audience of Southern Gospel News.
Our family met Jim through our church as he & his family were there singing & preaching,I guess that was about15 yrs. ago.My husband considers Jim a close friend.Then we met Melissa,& I can say that no matter when you see them they are always the same.
Thanks Melissa for the 20 simple ways to show your mate you love them. Sometimes we forget the "simple things" after 16 years and 2 kids later. It is important to remember the little things that are so easy to forget, and in our crazy world with busy schedules,all it takes is a kind word or deed to let each other know we are loved or appreciated. I wish every couple could read the article and I am sending it to as many of my friends as I can. I do many of these already but to spice things up I am making it a goal to do all 20 in the month of Feb. How fun!!
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
