Can I just say that Aaron is a rock star?
I know it is sort of (really) lame to brag about your spouse a ton on a blog, but the support he's given me lately deserves to be credited. The past few months have not been easy for me and Aaron's help has been a constant reminder of how much I need him, how grateful I am for him, and why I married him.
He makes me laugh, every day. He is my friend. He supports my relationship with my Savior. He not only puts up with my wild, creative and artistic endeavors, but he encourages them. He is grateful. He reminds me to let bad moments be just that---bad moments, and to let them pass without allowing them to spoil good moments. He is a good example in all things. He respects me as an equal partner in our marriage and as a parent. He wakes up insanely early, works hard, and when he comes home he works here---all to provide me and our children with a life that we love. And he's damn good looking.
And so, in honor of a man that brings me so much happiness I am giving happiness back.
The next 30 days are dedicated to Aaron.
Not because it's a holiday.
Not because it's his birthday.
Just because.
-because he deserves it.
-because he does so much for me.
-because he loves me.
-because I love him back.
Random acts of service go a long way. We all try to do "little things" for people we love to show them we appreciate them. In marriage, however, it is so easy to be lazy and forget to appreciate our spouse. We take their "they're always there"-ness for granted and focus our energy on more needy situations, like the children or laundry or clogged toilets (gross). Less important but more immediate needs often suck our attention and even our gratitude, while our loved one sits on the back burner like a pot of soup (mmm soup). We stop by the pot occasionally, but only to take and be filled enough to carry on with our tasks, and days can go by without us adding any "little things" back into the pot.
Somehow, my metaphors make their way back to food. I can't help it.
Anyway, it's time to feed the pot, if you will. Add some appreciation to the soup.
Do you have someone that you love and appreciate?
Wanna play along?
Join me in 30 days of Gratitude and Appreciation.
1) Tell your spouse (or someone you cherish) daily that you love them and appreciate them.
2) Do something nice for your spouse (or someone you love) every day for 30 days.
I have a list of "little things" started and will post about many of them, but here are some ideas to get you started. Remember that people give and receive love in different ways (ever read the 5 love languages? words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, acts of service, and gifts) so try to be aware of your spouse's language and incorporate more of those ideas when you show appreciation.
-make him a hot breakfast
-pack his lunch for a week
-write a note on the bathroom mirror
-iron his shirt
-put away the laptop, ipad, phone, etc and watch a movie together
-wash or clean out his car
-give him a massage
-plan and make all the arrangements for a date
-bake a favorite dessert or prepare a favorite meal
-offer to stay with the kids so he can relax, read, take a nap, go to the gym, shop, go to a movie with some friends, etc.
-commit to refrain from criticising, complaining, or saying anything negative at all for 24 hours
-do something romantic
-write him a note or letter
-organize his side of the closet
-make him a cd of his favorite songs (haha remember the FRIENDS episode where chandler gave Monica a mixed tape with Janice singing on it?)
-do a household chore that he usually takes care of but doesn't particularly enjoy.
You might have to get creative to find time to do some of these things. Cleaning his car, for example, isn't really an act of love and appreciation if you abandon him with the children for an hour during the busiest part of the day to go take his car through the car wash, know what I mean? Try to plan a few days ahead to make sure you can think things through and give true appreciation.
What are some little things you do to show appreciation?
Leave a comment to share a few ideas of your own, even if you aren't committing to the 30 days thing. Everyone likes to be appreciated in different ways, so it will be great for us all get a few fresh ideas from the comment thread.
Goodbye Butterflies
12 years ago
7 comments:
LOVE this...what about:
heart attacking his office with little hearts that say all the things you love about him?
initiating s-e-x with a sexy little text in the middle of his day.
iron his clothes for the week.
write him a poem...something super cheesy.
watch his favorite movie with him, even if it is Star Track, or something equally lame and pretend to be interested.
make him breakfast, even tho he gets up at the butt crack of dawn.
make a list of all the things you love about him.
recreate your first date...or your honeymoon.
hang stars from the ceiling and have a picnic in the bedroom.
i love all of your ideas...my husbands love language is physical touch, so most of the stuff i will be doing are umm...not things i am going to type out here. LOL
but i am in...totally, 100%...even if i can't really blog about it. :)
I just have to say that at the exact moment I read the line about the clogged toilet. Abby called for me to tell me the toilet was clogged. I will show my love for my husband by not yelling at him for being in AZ when there is a toilet that need unclogged. :)
This is so great, Meg. Being intentional is such a huge part of marriage. I think your list looks great and exhaustive and that he'll feel loved and appreciated. This is such a good idea and I think I'm going to do it, too.
As for how I show Jake my appreciation and love, I'm not sure I have much to add that hasn't been said already. But I'll give it a try because I'm verbose, even in typing. As far as Jake goes, he likes to be told what exactly he's doing that's appreciated (instead of "thanks for all the stuff you did today," he responds to "thank you so much for doing the dishes. The kitchen looks great.") Since having kids, the idea of sleeping in is the new romantic, so I try to give him one sleep in day a week. He is so kind and gives me several on his days off (he's so much nicer than I'll ever be!). Making his favorite food is also a big way to say "I love you." (Eating is a big part of our lives.) :) Finally, just being present and connecting is important to show love.
Thanks again for the idea to do this. Here's to a month of intentionality!
I love this Meg. I'm in! So a couple things I'll do for Erik this month: Take the kids out for a bit during a BSU football game so he can enjoy it in peace. Make yummy food for said game. Initiate a little romance BEFORE I'm too tired lol.
I'm sure I'll think of more. Thanks for the idea!! You are both so lucky to have each other. :)
this is an awesome idea. I know how much I love my husband and his awesome support of me. I'll play along. He deserves it.
Oh man. Barfy Barferson.
That's code for, "What a sweet post. I can't wait to read the next ones."
I just bought "The Five Love Languages" on audio so we can listen to it TOGETHER on our road trip next month! Is there a sixth language called "projects?" I suppose that would fall into "acts of service." That's definitely my language!
I love this idea...not sure I have 30 ideas, but I'm going to make an effort to do this and have already started.
Over a year ago, Jimmie loaned one of his all time favorite books to someone who was being deployed to Afghanistan (it was his favorite book, too). It was a paperback and had significant water damage frin a garage flood, so he told his friend not to worry about bringing it back....and then he discovered it was out-of-print. I recently tracked down a hard cover copy and gave it to him this week.
I hired a handyman to install a new attic ladder...a project my hubby is def capable of, but would love to have magically occur without risking a neck injury (long story, you know).
I planned a trick-or-treating date for us to chaperone some children who aren't able to be with their parents right now.
Working on some more ideas!
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