DIY “I Love You Because” Dry Erase Board

A simple DIY “I Love You Because” dry erase board to show your spouse gratitude.

After the Honeymoon Phase

Somewhere along the way in marriage we often begin to take our spouse for granted.

The honeymoon phase wears off.

The children keep us distracted and busy.

And soon we forget to set aside that much needed one on one time with our best friend. We forget to ensure that we are meeting their needs. We forget to be intentional in expressing our appreciation for them.

About four years into our marriage my husband surprised me with a trip to a nice hotel in Amish country for a marriage retreat that our church was hosting. The retreat was a fun little break from it all and a chance to reconnect with each other while at the same time meet some new people along the way.

Other than just enjoying the peaceful break from life for a couple of days, I honestly don’t remember much about that trip. One thing I very clearly do remember, however, was a cute “I love you because” dry erase board the church gifted each couple in attendance that year.

Sweet Love Notes

This super simple board has served as a way for my husband and I to share a sweet little note of appreciation for each other for over 4 years now.

Our messages are quite random. Some are short and sweet. Some are quite silly. And others are more lengthy and serious. But each and every one of them has a way of putting a smile on my face, whether I’m the one receiving or writing the message. I still get a sense of excitement welling up inside of me whenever I notice he’s written me a new message!

The idea behind writing these little love notes to your spouse is to simply write something to encourage them. Although it is true that not everyone’s primary love language is words of affirmation, we can each benefit from the kind and loving words of our spouse.

And you could always change it up a bit… Instead of writing something you are grateful for about your spouse, write them a little note to let them know that you have a special surprise planned for them that evening (wink wink).

Or share with them a favorite memory you have of the two of you. Draw a picture to make them laugh… you get the idea.

These are all such simple ideas, but a short and sweet love note can have a big impact on your day!

“I Love You Because” Dry Erase Board

How To Make A Dry Erase Board

Since receiving our own board a few years back, I’ve enjoyed making these as a unique gift for other couples too!

This DIY ” I love you because” dry erase board is a pretty simple and inexpensive project, and should take all of 5 minutes to put together. A recycled picture frame would be perfect to use! The printable below will fit an 8X10 frame, but you are welcome to create your own version of any size.

You will need a printer, pretty cardstock (or plain white printer paper will work just fine too), a frame, and a dry erase marker.  

Any craft store (ahem Hobby Lobby, ladies 😉 ) should have a variety of single page cardstock options to choose from. I’d recommend opting for a light color and minimal design to make sure your writing is easily readable.

You may choose to print the printable in either portrait or landscape mode. Then place it in your frame, and write your first little love note to your spouse! Have fun and make them feel appreciated.

“I Love You Because” landscape printable

“I Love You Because” portrait printable

Showing Gratitude

We really do serve an incredible God to give us a best friend to do life with. Let’s be faithful to show our spouse how much we appreciate and love them- even on the days when they’re not so lovable. One simple act of kindness can have a powerful impact.

I’d like to encourage you to read through the Bible verses and quotes below about love and marriage. They are a fresh reminder that God’s design for the husband and wife relationship is truly beautiful. And yet while living in a fallen world we still have our struggles.

Please seek the good of your spouse before your own. Love them with a Christ like love and be a quiet refuge for them to turn to in the midst of the chaos and uncertainties of life.

This page/post may contain affiliate links. For more detailed information, please visit our Affiliate Disclaimer page.

Bible Verses About Love and Marriage

^”Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:4-6

“There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.” (Proverbs 30:18-19)

“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace. Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.” (Song of Solomon 4:9-10)

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9).

^“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

Quotes for Husband and Wife

“In your marriage, be the first to “seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11).” – Emerson Eggerichs, Love & Respect

“His love motivates her respect; her respect motivates his love. ” – Emerson Eggerichs, Love & Respect

“Ultimately, you practice love or respect because beyond your spouse you see Jesus Christ and you envision a moment when you will be standing before Him at the final judgment, realizing that your marriage was really a tool and a test to deepen and demonstrate your love and your reverence for your Lord.” – Emerson Eggerichs, Love & Respect

“Love is never wasted, for it’s value does not rest upon reciprocity” – C.S. Lewis

“Love is unselfishly choosing for another’s highest good” – C.S. Lewis

“You cannot love a fellow creature fully until you love God.” – C.S. Lewis

“Love with deeds is real. Love without deeds is fake. So examine your love.” – Charles Spurgeon

“Happy is the man who is happy in his wife.”-  Charles Spurgeon

“Marriage is one of the most humbling, sanctifying journeys you will ever be a part of. It forces us to wrestle with our selfishness and pride. But it also gives us a platform to display love and commitment.” – Francis Chan

“It is impossible to love deeply without sacrifice.” – Elisabeth Elliot

“You don’t fall into love. You commit to it. Love is saying I will be there no matter what.” – Timothy Keller

“A good marriage isn’t something you find; it’s something you make.” – Gary Thomas, A Lifelong Love

“The key question is this: Will we approach marriage from a God-centered view or a man-centered view? In a man-centered view, we will maintain our marriage as long as our earthly comforts, desires, and expectations are met. In a God-centered view, we preserve our marriage because it brings glory to God and points a sinful world to a reconciling Creator.” – Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage

“Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offense up against the offender. Forgiveness is an expression of love.” – Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages

“Real love” – “This kind of love is emotional in nature but not obsessional. It is a love that unites reason and emotion. It involves an act of the will and requires discipline, and it recognizes the need for personal growth.” – Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages

Marriage is truly a gift. May we do our part to genuinely cherish it, protect it, fight for it, and honor it.