Rooted and Rising: Closing the Year with Intention

At the start of 2025, my husband and I set an intention: to make this the year of an elevated marriage.

We committed to moving beyond routines and responsibilities, beyond the surface of “I love you” and nightly hugs, and into emotional intimacy that connects us from the surface all the way to the soul.

In my last post, Surface to Soul, I shared how we started this journey—setting aside time for heart-to-heart conversations, creating a judgment-free space, and intentionally being fully present with each other. Halfway through the year, I want to reflect on what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, and how we plan to finish the year stronger than ever.

The Power of Presence

One of the biggest lessons this year has been the simple—but often overlooked—power of presence. Life gets busy, the kids’ schedules fill our days, work piles up, and suddenly, the minutes we spend together are distracted or hurried.

We realized that being physically together isn’t enough. 

Emotional intimacy requires showing up fully: listening without planning a response, touching without expectation, looking into each other’s eyes and seeing the person—not the spouse, not the parent, not the to-do list.

Presence isn’t always grand gestures. 

Often, it’s the small things: a quiet cup of coffee together in the morning, a text during the day that shows we’re thinking of each other, or simply holding hands while walking the kids to school. These little moments add up, and they remind us that the connection we’re building is ongoing, deliberate, and sacred.

Beyond Conversation: Shared Vulnerability

Our focus on emotional intimacy has grown into a practice of shared vulnerability. 

We’ve learned that the more openly we share our fears, doubts, and dreams, the more our trust in one another deepens. Vulnerability isn’t always easy. Sometimes it means admitting we’re overwhelmed or confessing a worry we feel might seem small or silly. But each time we open up, we find that the other person’s love and support is stronger than any judgment.

This mid-year reflection reminds me that vulnerability isn’t just about talking—it’s about being seen. 

It’s about letting the other person into our inner world, even when it’s messy, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s where the soul connection lives.

Connection Dates Reimagined

We also revisited our “connection dates.”

Initially, they were small gestures—walks, dinners, or quiet mornings—but now they’ve become an essential part of our relationship toolkit.

These aren’t about escaping life’s responsibilities; they’re about intentionally creating space to align emotionally.

Sometimes it’s a weekend morning with no distractions, talking about our dreams and the things we’re learning about ourselves. Sometimes it’s an afternoon spent tackling a home project together—not because it’s productive, but because working side by side brings its own kind of closeness. The point is not what we do, but how we do it: fully present, curious, and engaged with one another.

Supporting Each Other’s Growth

Emotional intimacy isn’t just about connection—it’s about growth. 

Halfway through the year, we’ve seen the importance of supporting each other’s personal journeys. Whether it’s encouraging a new hobby, helping with work challenges, or simply listening when life feels heavy, supporting each other builds a foundation of trust that strengthens everything else in our marriage.

Growth together isn’t always linear, but it’s steady.

And the beauty of it is that as we lift each other up, we both feel seen, valued, and loved in ways that transcend surface-level interactions.

Moving Forward: The Rest of 2025

As we move into the second half of this year, our goal is simple: continue showing up for each other, deepening connection, and prioritizing our emotional intimacy every single day. That means continuing our check-ins, planning connection dates that matter, embracing vulnerability, and supporting each other’s growth.

Marriage is a journey, not a finish line. 

And the truth is, elevating it requires daily intention. But when we commit to being present, to sharing our inner worlds, and to loving deeply and deliberately, the rewards are immeasurable. We’re not just building a stronger marriage for ourselves; we’re creating a legacy of love and connection for our family—modeling what it means to be truly connected, from surface to soul.

How are you keeping your marriage intentional this year?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, tips, and stories in the comments.

Let’s continue to elevate, together.

XX, Kelleen