20 Reasons We Need a Wife Appreciation Day

Wife Appreciation Day is the third Sunday in September, and it's a great time to celebrate your wife. The history of this little-known holiday isn't super clear, though it might have begun as a way to acknowledge married women who don't have kids. No matter what, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate your wife—starting with the simple fact that she married you. You!

Your wife has been a great partner, and it's important to tell her that. Marriage isn't easy, but she's up for working together, working things out, setting goals and going after them as a team. Tell her how much that means to you.

Chances are, no matter how much you think you do around the house, your wife does more. Sure, men and women are becoming more equal partners at home, but the studies show that she's pulling more than her fair share. Tell her you appreciate that by 1) thanking her, and 2) noting all that she does and 3) balancing things out.

She's also doing more of the emotional labor—stuff you can't see her doing. She knows what food preferences everyone has, the shampoos each person in the family prefers, everyone's shoe sizes and what's expected of families with regard to school volunteering. She knows what's in the fridge, where "we keep the scissors" and a bunch of other stuff that you should know, too. Show her you appreciate her by learning it.

Your wife works hard. If it's at an office job outside the home, she works even harder than you know. She probably spends more time on her appearance than you do (not because she's vain but because she knows the game). She's balancing home life and work life, trying to maintain relationships and advance in her career. Appreciate that.

She stressed, too. Like a lot of Americans, she's working longer hours, has less vacation time and is watching retirement get put off more and more. She might also be bringing work home more often or be required to be on call even on her days off. She still makes time for you, so be sure she knows you appreciate that.

Have you ever noticed that when she does housework she just does it and moves on? But when you do it, you announce that it's done? It turns out, that's another difference between men and women generally. So, acknowledging her work today (and every day) is a way to show your appreciation, too.

Men, thankfully, are taking on more household duties. Some even believe they do the same amount as their wives (or more!). There is the rare bird who fits that description but chances are, she's still doing more than you. She deserves appreciation (and a break).

Celebrate your wife because she's a great companion. You always have fun when you're together, she documents your lives with her camera, she listens, cracks jokes, dances to your music. A great companion is hard to find. Make sure she knows how much you appreciate that.

She holds your hand, kisses you hello (and goodbye and goodnight). She rubs your back, smiles at you. She shows you she's into you.

She doesn't insist on being together 24/7. She likes you to get out there and do your thing. It's not enough that you don't take it for granted—tell her you appreciate it. And her!

Not every woman feels free to come and go and do the things she's interested in without having to first clear hurdles at home. If you fell in love with her sense of adventure, her need to breathe fresh air or to learn new things, tell her you appreciate that about her. And make sure you're clearing hurdles for her, too.

Can you believe how kind, fun, compassionate and loyal she is to her friends? You love that about her. Make sure she knows it.

She loves her family and is a great daughter. Just because she's your wife, and not your child, doesn't mean you can't acknowledge her goodness as a daughter.

She's the glue in the family, the central figure, the one you all go to for love, support, kisses and help. She does those things because she loves her family, but it takes something out of her, too. Make sure she knows you see it and appreciate it, even though she'd keep doing it no matter what.

She's driven, serious, smart and a team player. She really shines at work. Sure, her annual job reviews might reflect her greatness, but she'd love to know you see it, too.

You knew she wanted big things when you married her, and she hasn't stopped going after them. Her ambition eats into your together time, requires you to do more around the house and might even outshine your own hard work and accomplishments. Still, you appreciate her ambition and are proud of her. Tell her.

There are so many reasons we need a Wife Appreciation Day, including the fact that she's always telling everyone else how much she appreciates them.

Hey, you don't always get along, but you love that she's no shrinking violet. She speaks up, stands her ground and pushes back against your arguments. Even if she's loud and shooting daggers at you from her eyes, she always fights fair.

She tells you all the time how much she appreciates the things you do, your relationship, your hard work, your devotion to family. It feels good to hear it. Surely, you can appreciate that.