My poor husband has heard so much from me, especially in the first five years of our marriage, that should have never came out of my mouth. Thank the Lord for a forgiving husband! It has been through years of marriage that I realized my husband needs to hear me say certain things and often.
Over the years, since those first five painful growing years, I have learned a lot about the needs of my husband and how my words can affect him negatively or positively. I would like to share seven things that I have learned my husband loves to hear me say to him.
Forgive Me
In our family, we try to avoid the ‘I’m sorry‘ because it doesn’t always seem sincere enough when true damage has occurred within a relationship. We leave the ‘sorry’ for time when we bump into each other or make a mindless mistake, not something that was done on purpose or with intent.
I Was Wrong
Asking for forgiveness is a great place to start, but I have found that my husband loves when I admit even more to him with the ‘I was wrong‘ statement. I can still see his face the first time this unheard phrase slipped from my lips. He was really shocked that I could admit being wrong and he instantly softened toward me.
I Appreciate…
…how you provide for our family. Men work hard to provide for their family and in most cases, they do not get any respect for the work that they faithfully do for the company they work for and it shouldn’t be the same case with the family that he works hard to provide for.
Thank you
I started thanking my husband for the little things he does, like playing with the kids, helping get our youngest ready for bed, helping with the discipline of our children and just listening to me. Sharing your gratitude with him should be second nature, but it really took a focus for me to make it that way and I’m sad I didn’t start earlier.
You Look…
…so gorgeous. I’m a strong believer in ‘if you think it, you need to say it‘ because people need to hear positive thoughts more than negative ones. Telling your husband that you are still attracted to him, even if he has gained weight or looks different than when you first were married (trust me, you probably look different, too). Having confidence in how you view him can help him feel more confident in your relationship with him.
What Can I…
…make you for dinner? Asking my husband if there is anything special that he would like for breakfast, lunch or dinner (or even dessert) really lets him know that I desire to please him and make him happy. Many times he doesn’t have anything special because I usually stay with the meals that I know he enjoys, but on occasions, he has been quick to say that he was hungry for something.
What Do You…
…think we should do? I have always been quick to share my opinion with my husband, however, over the last several years, I have been learning to ask his opinion before giving mine. It has surprised me to find that many times we were both thinking the same thing, but allowing him to go first allowed him to feel more of the leader I have desired him to be in our home. That has been so empowering to him and an answer to my prayers! And to think, I was the one standing in the way of getting my heart’s desire.
What other things have you said to your husband that has played a powerful part in building a stronger relationship?
