Just a forewarning, this will be a long-ish sappy post alert so feel free to step away now lol.
I was reminded of how grateful I am for my husband. Work has been really stressful for me lately. The feeling of being under appreciated, over worked and underpaid has been weighing on me more and more everyday. I almost broke down into tears two times while sitting in my cubicle. And, to be honest, nothing really major happened to ruin my day. It was just the compound day after day of feeling the same way. I have been thinking a lot lately about what am I doing with my life?
Somewhere around 3pm and between my almost 2nd breakdown of the day I decided to text Chad, my husband. I told him that I was going to need some snuggle time while catching up on shows on the couch tonight because I am having a rough day. Without hesitating he simply replies “absolutely beautiful“. Already feeling a little better, I asked if we could go for a run or bike ride when I got home thinking maybe some exercise will help get some of this frustration and drive out the feeling of what the hell am I doing. He instantly said “absolutely beautiful” and then suggested I ride my bike next to him while he runs, I get off my bike to run with him for a few miles and then I get back on my bike while he runs next to me and finish the workout.
Here is the underlying factor you aren’t seeing in this text exchange; you see, my husband runs everyday and I could never keep up with him on a normal run. Like ever lol. He takes his daily runs pretty seriously and almost never skips a day. Even on vacation..and to be honest it gets kind of annoying sometimes. That is why I usually ride my bike next to him while he runs. I run an 8ish minute mile on average and in no way the shape he is in. He knew that all I wanted to do was get exercise in, run out all of the doubts I was feeling and that, most importantly, I wanted to do it with him. So, when he offers to run with me its like him intruding on me catching up on my fall TV shows lol. I know he is sacrificing one of his favorite things to be with me at my pace, on my time, and he is there the whole way cheering me on and motivating me.
Can this guy get any better?
I mean lets be honest… sometimes I can be a little crazy pants, get a little selfish, be mad for really no reason and blame it on something that has nothing to do with him. I am definitely not getting the best wife award any time soon. But, what I can do is appreciate him. And, more importantly, tell him I appreciate him. What I think matters the most is when you go out of your way to tell the other person that you see and recognize the small things. In this case it was understanding what I needed and doing something together as a couple.
I think one of the reasons why I believe that appreciation is such a huge factor in a healthy relationship is because of the relationship I had before my husband. When I was with my ex boyfriend it was a constant feeling of neglect and I never felt like I was appreciated or at times even recognized. That was until I met Chad. He was able to break through my wide and tall walls I had built around me for years so I wouldn’t get hurt anymore. That I wouldn’t feel anything anymore. He showed me that something good existed. That the things I do and how I treat other people matter. That I can be appreciated.
A lot of things were taken from me during those years but what I got was so much more. I know that if I didn’t experience what I went through I wouldn’t have appreciated Chad as much as I do. I know people disagree with this statement but I think that everything you go through is for a reason. Good or bad. Exciting or disappointing. Appreciated or not appreciated. It sucks sometimes, really sucks, and takes you to the edge but when you come to the other side you gain something from it.
At my lowest low I never thought that I would get anyone who would love me or appreciate it again. At one time I was under appreciated and life gave me a great love. Never settle and never let yourself get anything less than you deserve.
Thanks for hanging in there through all of the sappiness and my gushing love for my husband lol.
What are some factors for you that makes a successful relationship?
Have you had a previous relationship that has shaped you for your future relationships?
