WebMD.com reprinted an article on seven ways to put your marriage first. The article is by Ellen Seidman, who writes the blog, "Love That Max," for Good Housekeeping magazine.

It's an important article because people in strong relationships tend to be physically and mentally healthier. Regardless how much time children take, a strong relationship between parents is their most valuable asset.

However, DINKs (dual income-no kids) overwhelmed by jobs and responsibilities, can learn something, too. So here's the edited version without the long narrative  that often precedes the meat of a Good Housekeeping article.

• Start small. Rather than coming up with a sweeping, life-changing plan, create "bubbles of intimacy" throughout the day. Get up 15 minutes earlier every morning and chat over coffee, have a snack together after the kids go to sleep. On Saturday night, do something cool like watch a movie, have a beer or two, play old music from your youth.
• Have kid-free conversations. Have times together where you don't discuss the kids. Discuss each other or something else that's kid-free.
• Stay in touch during the day. Send a text message that says "hi," or "thinking of you." Send cell phone photos of what you see or what you're doing. If one of you leaves home in a bad mood, send a photo of yourself smiling.
• Try new things together. Try something neither of you has ever done. A charity walk will burn off stress, make you feel better about yourself for helping others, and you share the sense of accomplishment.
• Bring on the PDA. There's nothing wrong with personal displays of affection in front of the kids. Holding hands, long hugs shows children that their family is strong and stable and gives them a picture of what a good relationship should look like.
• Make pleasure a priority. Be creative with affection, even sneaking in something hot when the kids are in  the back yard, fall asleep holding hands. Skin touching skin is very healthy for couples.
• Don't be a martyr. Share tasks around the house. Don't put it in terms of "help out," because that implies that household jobs belong to someone and the other is just pitching in. Being the only person doing household tasks is fatiguing and creates a poor mood for intimacy.