The man I married loves me, and I have definitive proof.
I've worn it for 14 years, and it cost him roughly two months' pay at the time. It IS fabulous and meaningful. You probably thought that's what I was going to say. But as much as I love the ring, he did buy it while he was seriously twitterpated. Now it's more of a symbol of commitment and a sign to others that I'm very, very off the market. And I assure you, if I were ever abducted by thieves, I'd eat it. But no, it's not that.
Those are important. No, I'll be honest, those are like crack. I'm addicted! But it's not that, because kisses and hugs are fun all around and don't really require sacrifice (unless one of us forgot to shower).
Those connections are vital to maintaining our friendship and that feeling of family that The Captain and I have with each other. They're also good for keeping each other updated… "Hey, the car needs gas before tomorrow morning." "Don't forget about Sweet Pea's concert tonight." "Did you realize Mr. Boy knows how to totally naked himself now?" But no, it's not that either.
Here's the proof—he puts my curling iron away for me.
Maybe that sounds random to you, but it touches my heart in a deep place. We have a small bathroom with little room for appliances on the counter. I have a small attention span with little room for distraction. So between my getting distracted a lot while I'm waiting for my curling iron to cool down, and the outlet being on his side of the counter, that curling iron is in his way pretty often. He told me this one time. Only once.
I know for a fact when he puts it away, because I do it like this:
And he does it like this:
Am I saying there's only one correct method of putting away a small appliance?
Nope. I'm just saying that every time I get it out of the drawer, I can tell who put it in there. I'm sheepish to admit, I usually find it being strangled by its own cord, meaning he stepped in quietly and took care of it. For the umpteenth time. And that becomes a love note to me, letting me know that I am accepted, flaws and all.
Should I probably work on being more considerate in this area?
Definitely. I do feel a tiny pang of guilt for putting him out of his way. But this post is more to celebrate those little moments when a spouse's love and humility can turn a potential source of irritation into a symbol of abiding faithfulness in action. Yes, it's just a curling iron. A small thing. But small things can have profound meaning. Just ask the couple on the verge of divorce, who claim the other person doesn't love them. Why? Because he stopped saying "I love you." Because she stopped encouraging him. Because the other person would never replace the toilet paper. Little things.
He has every reason to grow impatient over my forgetfulness, snap at me, or even retaliate by leaving whisker dust all over the sink. But he doesn't. Instead, he just puts the curling iron in the drawer and forgives me. Every time. And by doing that, he's changing my life. Every time.
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| The Captain |
What are some ways your spouse or loved one shows you symbolic love in action?
Do you let them know you've noticed and appreciate it?
What can you do to show love to them?
Leave a comment! :D
