by Let’s talk about love and marriage…specifically, how do you show your spouse you love him or her? What are some of the ways he/she makes you feel loved?
For me, it’s the little things. When my husband cleans up our especially messy toddler after supper, or when he rinses the tub out after his bath…these considerate gestures speak volumes. They tell me he appreciates me, wants to help me, doesn’t want to make more work for me. Which makes me want to do more for him!
Of course, the best times are when he hangs out in the kitchen with me as I fix a meal, or calls me during the day to tell me he just had to hear my voice…
I’ll never forget our first anniversary. Turns out he’d been paying attention in our dating days when I pointed out a gorgeous arrangement of peach and red colored roses at a department store. *I’d* even forgotten I’d gushed about the color combination. That was almost 13 years ago–that first anniversary–and guess what? Those petals have aged well, though the once vibrant colors have wrinkled and faded.
The little things are important to the big picture. Surround yourself with enough of them, and the hurtful things are easier to shrug off and forgive. Sometimes you have to look for them, but they’re usually there if your heart has eyes to see. And with that said, here’s a quote for you:
A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” Robert Quillen
Your turn, what little things really get to your heart?
His taking my coat when I come home, his bringing me some tea while I sit at my computer and blog, his washing and cleaning my car – and he fills it, too, without me knowing it, his being patient and kind…
His bringing me a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, his being the official ‘vacuumer’ around our house, his spirit of thankfulness for every little thing, his making it a priority to read the Word of God and pray together each evening, his giving me a son and three precious daughters and even a son waiting for us in heaven. One way of viewing this man of mine is that he also gave me our 17 grandchildren, right, since he gave me our children. And we aren’t rich but he always sees that I have some money in my purse. For me, its not hard to “rejoice in the Lord always and again and again and again, to rejoice!”
PS. Loved this blog, honey!
Reading your two comments above reminds me of similar things my dh has done for me…it’s so good to share these with each other! I’m so thankful for marriage, for the wonderful blessing of having someone on this earth that’s especially for you, that loves you in spite of yourself!
Thanks, Mom! :O)
Although I’m not married and single at the moment there are things that friends and family will do to make me feel loved. My love languages are quality time and words of affirmation so any time I’m able to spend time with those I love usually make my heart happy. Often someone will just send me an email or note saying that they are thinking of me and I just smile inside. It is definitely the little things for me. I don’t need any of the pomp and circumstance, just to know that someone cares! And it is holding on to those little things in those difficult seasons of life!
For my 30th birthday, my truck driving, 6’1″ cowboy cut out 30 little paper hearts and on each one wrote a reason he loved me. He glued each one to a piece of hard candy and then cross stitched “I love you because…” and glued it to a little bucket. I got that plus a huge basket full of all of my favorite things, my favorite magazines, candy bars, etc.
It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.
Oh and this: For Father’s Day I always do a two page scrapbook spread of Phil and Zane. So for Mother’s day last year, he hid it from me, but somehow he worked on a two page spread of Zane and I.
There isn’t anything money could buy that would make me happier!!
Colleen, I’m the same way! I’ve never needed the pomp and circumstance, what a great way to put it! I’d much rather have the day in day out wonderful niceness and thoughtfulness than the twice a year jewelry or flower explosions…Those things are nice to brag about to your friends, but the older you get the more you appreciate the REAL gestures of unfailing love.
Michelle, I about cried at what you shared! What a precious man…and I can relate to how much that meant that he did that. My man is totally man…a cowboy as well…and he’s done things along the same lines that are so out of his normal character that it’s overwhelming. What a great 30th you had…I’m so glad you shared about it!
Great post Mary! And I love the quote, too. What I really appreciate is when my hubby takes us out to eat on Saturdays. After a long week taking care of the teen and the tots I’m thankful for the break. It’s become a tradition that we all enjoy, and one of those things that makes me say, “Ahhhh” at the end.
That would make me say “Ahhh” too! What a great guy!