Have you seen this wonderful article in the NY Times Magazine about how little acts of generosity are found to be prevalent in very happy marriages?
This article has been a good little reminder for me.
You see, my husband is a very, very self-sufficient man. He takes care of things. He makes the best meals I've ever had in my life. He helps me with a multitude of tasks, it seems. He will drop anything to do a little act of service for me. He will do laundry by hand in a sink in a hotel, if need be. The man doesn't need a lot of support to get by. And, he's a happy man. He whistles and sings while he works.
But, his wifey here is dedicating a lot of time to a project she calls A Blog About Love. I'm working on this project full-time, from home. And it has been such a whole-hearted effort that the day goes by quickly. Time evaporates. I let a lot of the tasks of the day go undone. And before I know it, we're asking each other what we should do for dinner.
This article has reminded me how important it is to actively make time in my day for little acts of kindness for my sweet spouse. I'm a master at loving, speaking kindly, being affectionate, being patient, offering gratitude, and giving moral support. But a surprise dinner? Folded clean laundry? Breakfast before work? These things don't happen often. But I'm trying to change that.
Yesterday I made bacon and eggs for breakfast. This is a small feat, I know. But that night when we said our husband and wife prayers together, he said, "I'm thankful for all the kind things my wife did for me today." He noticed! Oh, what a sweetheart. Tonight I'm making tin foil dinners, because I know he likes the way I make them. And I picked up a nice, ripe mango at the market as he loooves mangos and appreciates that I know how to cut them, which is not his favorite thing to do.
So, dear readers, maybe you're experts in doing little generous acts of kindness for your spouse? Maybe you have an idea or two up your sleeve? Do share! Together we can all inspire each other to make our marriages/relationships a little sweeter.