Dear Hubby,
By now I'm sure you've heard me go on and on about The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.
There are many variations, but throughout them all, the five ways people give and receive love hold steady: acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, physical touch, and words of affirmation.
I love all these styles of love, but the one that I crave the most is words of affirmation. This makes you lucky, because words of affirmation are free and don’t take much time.
Motherhood is often a thankless job. Days roll into nights and the laundry is never caught up. I’m constantly asking myself “Did I do enough? Am I enough?” On a good day, I can cheer myself on with some good old-fashioned “Go get ‘em girl” self-talk, but what fills my bucket the most is hearing it from you.
To be seen and encouraged by the person I’ve chosen to spend my life with means the world to me. But I know you’re busy too. I know at the end of a long, often stressful day, coming up with more than a simple “thank you” can feel overwhelming.
So, here are a few words of affirmation that I need right now.
“I see that you _______ today”
So many of my home chores and projects go unseen. If you notice the holiday decor is up or down, or that all your dirty laundry magically returned clean and in your dresser, please tell me.
“Your mom bod is a hot bod!”
Often, my body feels foreign. It has changed so much and I love what it gave us, but man, it is different now!
“You’re a rock star for soothing our kids in the middle of the night.”
Do you know what's really hard? Being woken up by one of our kids mid-REM for a mystery need. But I do it for the people I love. And I always will. But a little acknowledgement would still be nice.
“The kids and I are so lucky to have you”
You are my most important people. I’d love to hear that I’m your MVP, too.
“You deserve a night off. I’ll be home early so you can head out.”
Don’t say this without the follow-up of when — that’s the real treat!
“I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
We might be running parallel in many aspects of life, but hearing this feels like you’re reaching your hand across the divide so we can run together.
“How do you do it all?”
I’m constantly asking myself if I’m enough. To hear that you’re amazed by all I’m juggling is an awesome way to cheer me on.
“You make me a better man.”
'Nuff said.
“I’m so excited to come home to you in the evening.”
Remember when we were dating and every moment was spent looking forward to our next time together? Yeah, I still want that. I hope you do too.
“I’m thankful for you because …”
Pour some sugar on me, baby! Appreciate me for what I do and I bet I can do even more.
“You are gorgeous inside and out”
As the gray hairs set in and my metabolism slows, remind me that it’s my heart you adore the most.
“I will always love you.”
This affirmation makes me feel so safe, so cherished, so committed to you, even in this chaotic season of life known as raising young kids.
