Give Her Your Arms

Awhile ago my husband and I were listening to a marriage podcast while driving somewhere, and the particular episode was on the secrets of happily married couples. They were sharing thoughts and ideas on what men need from women and vice versa--things we need but might not be instinctive for our partner to give us because we think so differently. One thing that was said that really struck me was a piece of advice shared by the male on the show. He said "Gentlemen, if I can give you one piece of advice as you begin your marriage, it is never underestimate the power of your arms wrapped around your wife. Hug her often. Hug her multiple times a day. Offer her your arms, she will feel safe, protected, and like whatever is happening in her day is really not that big of a deal." Okay, granted, a hug cannot cure everything. But, as I am learning, a hug from a spouse really can make a HUGE difference in my day. A hug can reverse a bad mood, stop a stressed and frenzied dash out the door in its tracks, or halt a negative train of thought before it gets too far. The piece of advice given by the psychologist on the podcast was taken very seriously by my husband, and now, several times a day, he'll walk up to me and put his arms around me. Yesterday I was folding laundry, and I was hitting an afternoon energy crash. I was tired, getting cranky and stressed and my wonderful husband replied with "can I make you some coffee or tea? Or can I just put my arms around you and tell you I love you?" I asked for his arms. It was a fabulous gift. So whether it's in those early morning, pre-alarm moments of floating in hazy wakefulness, before you leave the house, when you return, or even as she's cooking dinner, offer your wife your arms. It's one of the best gifts you can ever give her.