Interviewing all these couples happily married 30, 40, 50 years, and seeing the love and appreciation they have for each other, reminds me of a story I heard long ago.
There was a woman who decided she wanted to sell her home. It wasn’t large enough, yard was too small, the dark wood floors made it look dated and the tree out front kept dropping sap. The community was too old and she desired something more upscale.
When the realtor brought over the one-sheet he’d created to advertise the home, she began reviewing it with amazement. She was able to see her home through the photo lens of a professional photographer and to read its description:
“Quaint 1920 craftsman bungalow on pristine street with vaulted ceilings and original moldings. Open dining room perfect for welcoming family and friends for dinner cooked in your vintage kitchen that includes appliances restored with great precision. Nestled on a sunny corner lot ensures light will radiate throughout your home, showing off the rich walnut wood floors and period details throughout.”
“Immaculately landscaped backyard requires minimal upkeep and the 100-year old oak tree in the front yard is the toast of the neighborhood. This established community bears no other “for sale” signs because it’s one of the most desirable places to live. Once you move here, you too, will never want to leave.”
After reading the advertisement, she told the realtor, “I don’t want to sell my home anymore. Now that I see it for what it really is, I realize this is my dream home.”
This is the way so many of us are with marriage. Those who fail to invest in the love they have, nurture and cherish it, will never see its true value. Thinking about this more and more, I did an excercise I’ve never done before but found beneficial. Pretending Keith and I were just friends, I created a make believe advertisement looking for his wife:
“Kind, gentle and loving man seeks woman who he can love and cherish for the rest of her life. He desires she be unique and independent, in love with life, and confident. He has no desire to change her; just to love her exactly as she is. He will give all he has in exchange for complete love, devotion, honesty, and a friendship that makes him long to come home at the end of each day.”
“No nagging or complaining please. And appreciation for life and a gratefulness for everything you already have is a must. He loves to cook and is usually tidy, and is happy to help around the house, as he recognizes it is also his home.”
Just writing this down reminds me of how fortunate I am to have a man who loves me and I love and adore in return. Give this exercise a try and fall in love with your husband all over again…and again…and again.
Question: What are your husbands greatest qualities and attributes? If you were to do an exercise like the one I did above, how would it read? Feel free to have a very long list.
If you’re happily married and haven’t taken the time to join the Club, make sure to join us today. It takes only seconds and, of course, it’s completely free. Until Monday…make it a great weekend!
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