I’m a pretty strong woman in my opinion. I haven’t always been, but thirty-eight years of living on this earth has taught me a thing or two. I’ve discovered not to base my worth on others opinions, and I rely on no man to tell me that I am beautiful and precious. So I don’t need my husband’s affirmations to make me a happy, productive human being, but I do need them nonetheless.
Yesterday I planned a road trip for business a couple of hours from home, and as I busied about the house making sure I had everything I needed my phone made its signature text tone ting. As I looked down at my cell I saw a message from my husband. It read,
Be careful, baby.
And I smiled at his sweet concern. Don’t worry, I will, I typed back quickly, but then he said something more.
I know God will protect you, but I just don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. I love you so much.
And there it was. I felt butterflies in my belly, joy in my soul, and happiness in my heart. He loved me. I knew that already, but dang, it felt really good to hear it.
See, that’s the thing; women are emotional creatures. Yes, we’re logical too, but our heart thrives in a simplistic nature, really. Women are not as complex as most men make us to be.
Most women don’t care what you do for a living, but rather if you’re willing to work for them, for your family. The majority of women don’t care what your last name is, but rather if you uphold the reputation of the name you have by being a kind, descent person. Women don’t need a fancy card or eloquent poem that displays your feelings. They just need you to be open with them.
We don’t need bouquets of roses, diamond rings, or fancy cars. We don’t require a concrete symbol of your affection. We just need to know that you care. We need to know that you can’t imagine this life without us, that our absence would be more than you could bear. We need to hear you say, “I love you so much,” and then exist within a relationship where your actions prove that to be true. That’s the bottom line.
As an intellectual and strong female I realize my husband loves me dearly. My confidence in our marriage and his actions day-to-day prove to me that it is so, but as a woman I actually blossom under spoken affection. My spouse’s words are like beautiful music to my hungry ears, and his affirmation of my value in his eyes (the eyes of this man I adore), well, it’s like a loving kiss deposited in my spirit. It just makes my heart smile.
So in all honesty, baring the secrets of my soul, I do need my husband to tell me that he loves me. No, my joy in life doesn’t depend on it, but my happiness and contentment long term in my marriage does. And thankfully my partner sees this.