Yes.
That's half a century.
I can't even.
With our 46th anniversary around the corner, it's hit me that there's a couple of phrases he's come to quietly say when I honestly speak where I'm coming from.
I know.
or
I'm sorry.
That kind of tenderly spoken empathy soothes me. Those gentle words don't necessarily mean he agrees {although that's nice when it happens}. They simply let me know I've been heard.
I feel validated. Comforted. Known and accepted despite my endless parade of faults, frailties, and fears.
I'm not looking to be fixed or corrected. He knows that now. The Holy Spirit takes care of that kind of business and He does it well.
My heart melts at my husband's verbal caresses.
I know they are not his chosen love language. So whenever he steps out of his comfort zone to offer me the words of affirmation I yearn for, I fall more deeply in love with him ... yet again.
Linda 💘
P.S.
He's emptying the dishwasher even as we speak. Bonus points.
sharing with
Jeanne/Lisa J
Richella & Lisa
Jeanne/Lisa J
Richella & Lisa
💘
I like the ending. Bonus points. Jo prefers I stay away from the dishwasher. Something about I don't load it right or something like that. :) I like to whisper sweet nothings in her ear but she is deaf to that. :) :) It will 49 years this June. Married.
ReplyDeleteAfter all these years, I'm grateful when the dishes get unloaded, the bed gets made, the garbage finds its way to the garage and I haven't said a thing.
DeleteI don't even care any more how it's done. I'm just happy it's taken care of!
Although, I do like the bath towels to be folded a rather specific way. Just sayin' ... 🧺
Marriage like a pair of comfy slippers — or as bracing as my sturdy walking shoes.
ReplyDeleteIt’s all gift.
Absolutely yes.
Delete🥾🥾
Congratulations. Wishing you many more years filled with happiness, good health and whatever both of you desire.
ReplyDeleteGod bless always.
Victor, thanks 🙋♀️!
DeleteEmptying the dishwasher always gets extra points from me, Linda! Oh, poor Danny had to do so many chores out of his comfort zone when I was recovering from pneumonia, but do them, he did, and without grumbling or complaint. He's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteAnd how sweet it is that you and your husband have been together for so many beautiful years, my friend. Happy Anniversary and may more blessed years be yours!
Yes, it's hard to watch a loved one suffer and be seriously ill. I'm guessing Danny was grateful he could do something, anything to let you know he how deeply he loves you and how concerned he was over all you were going through.
DeleteYou sound stronger each week, friend 🏋️♀️. I'm grateful.
My husband and I have known each other for 26 years and we'll be celebrating 23 years of marriage in May. I feel like we have grown up together. It is exciting that you all have known each other that long, hopefully it doesn't feel like that long...and I am imagine from your "can't even" comment that it doesn't. Everyone once in a while I will look at my husband and say I can't believe we've been together however long, but I am always thankful it doesn't feel like that many years have passed.
ReplyDeleteTime flies is such a cliche until you turn around and realize that's become your story 🤔 ...
DeleteCongratulations on such a long time together! Such a beautiful post, it is truly heart melting when our spouse connects with us, without trying to fix us!
ReplyDeleteHeart melting, hard won, and long desired. Yes.
Delete😌
Congrats on reaching this amazing milestone anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
Thanks, friend ☕!
DeleteI love this to the moon and back.
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet 🌜!
DeleteOh my goodness--I can hear MY husband emptying the dishwasher right now! What a sweet tribute you've written about your husband, Linda. Years ago, a Bible study I was working on suggested making a list of appreciated traits of one's spouse. It wasn't long before both sides of a notebook page were filled! God has blessed me beyond what I deserved, these 53 years we've known each other. I agree with Cindy, above: it feels like we grew up together!
ReplyDeleteSounds like we've got a bunch of childhood sweethearts around here!
Delete👩❤️👨👩❤️👨👩❤️👨
Happy anniversary! That's quite a milestone.
ReplyDelete* subscriber email response
Thanks so much 🙋♀️! It's so good to see you again ...
DeleteI can identify!
ReplyDelete* subscriber email response
I knew I couldn't be the only one ... 🌺
DeleteI wanted Barb to have a lift;
ReplyDeleteshe's after all, my wife,
so she got a special gift,
a custom made big knife
that out-Dundees Paul Hogan
(now THAT'S a KNIFE, he said);
so affection stays unspoken,
I'll sharpen it instead,
and thus she knows her very worth
for I could ask top dollar
every time I give knife-birth
but marriage is love's collar,
and letting tenderness go overboard,
next time I'll make the lass a sword.
A custom made knife, huh ... I'm wondering what she thought about this 🤷♀️!
DeleteShe actually loves it.
DeleteThat girl's a keeper! 😇
Delete50 years of friendship - that's awesome, Linda! Sounds like he's a keeper. ;) And emptying the dishwasher is icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteJust seeing '50 years of friendship' completely throws me.
DeleteYikes 🤪.
Ah...that is sweet. Often loading the dishwasher, I've heard, can cause conflict between couples! I think I'd be fine if my partner was particular about how the dishwasher was loaded and unloaded, because then I could let him do it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh the dishwasher has been the least of our concerns, for sure 😉!
DeleteI've learned to choose my battles. Is this worth going to the mat for? Usually not.
I remember the early days... Should I stay in school or should we get married right now? I'm not sure I agreed with you then - I probably said it was because you were too young but, more likely, it was because I didn't want to lose my roomie! As I look back I "can't even" begin to express my gratitude for the husbands God gave us! They are special men who have stood up to their promise to love, honor and respect day after day, even when it must have been hard with such strong willed wives!
ReplyDeleteGosh, college seems so very long ago. Could it be a half a century? NO WAY 🤦♀️!
DeleteWHAT a wonderful blessing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you both!
Lulu, thanks, friend 💐 ...
DeleteGotta love a man that will empty the dishwasher! LOL! What a blessings and honor to have known your husband that long. I hope your week is going well. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteGod is good, yes 💝!
DeleteCongratulations - 50 years together is amazing! And I love how your husband has learned to express love in the ways that make you feel heard and valued.
ReplyDeleteThe key is learning. Figure what really matters and letting the rest go. We have definitely been a work in progress ... 🤨 I raise an eyebrow {inside!} when I hear people going on and on about their perfect marriage. Trust me, I've never seen one yet.
DeleteLinda, that's a lotta years together. I LOVE that your husband speaks your love language to you. We sometimes do need to know we've been heard. Congratulations on a lifetime together.
ReplyDeleteI love it, too ... but this has been a long time coming and most of the lessons we continue to learn about communicating comes because of the tough seasons. I wish it didn't have to be that way, but God knows exactly what we need to learn and when.
Delete😕
This is SO sweet, Linda. What a shining example you are to all of us, my friend! I love reading every one of your posts, but the ones where you talk about your marriage are some of my favorites. God bless you and your husband with many, many more happy years together, in Jesus' name!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure we're a shining example, but I'm glad you find something in these marriage posts, Cheryl. We've had to learn hard lessons the hard way, through tears and trauma and all the rest of it.
DeleteBut God is good and the closer our bond with Him, the closer our bond to each other. 'A cord of 3 strands is not easily broken.' I'm so grateful! ❤️
Thank you ... I'm so glad you're here! 🙋♀️
ReplyDeletebeautiful tribute.and I love the PS. I am married to a dishwasher empyter too!
ReplyDelete😉 I'm with you, Jean ... I do appreciate an emptier, too!
DeleteCongratulations on 46 years of marriage, Linda! And this is a wonderful testimony, "I feel validated. Comforted. Known and accepted." Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa 🌷
DeleteI love this, Linda. Here’s to many more years full of moments that bring you both joy. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nudge to look forward with expectancy and delight, not wondering about medical issues and stuff like that, friend.
DeleteYou recalibrate me 🤗!
So beautiful n beautifully written...
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! Sometimes shorter and fairly unedited says it best.
Delete🌺