Seriously.

I would add to the “Give her presents” to make sure one gives ones that are not merely habitual. Break force of habit and put thought into it. Father got stuck on shoving the same lady’s cologne at mama year after year because she once said she liked it – Tabu. By the time I was 16, or so, she was crying because he hadn’t thought about it. I dashed out, with my Sears card the family had given me (for emergencies only, and I never used it otherwise), and found her Billy Graham’s book “Angels” she’d been wanting, paperback edition. Yup, in Sears. Handed it to her, said “Happy Birthday, mama, from father!” and he and I GLARED with rage at each other, silently.

Re the card, when they got robbed and had to have cards replaced, Sears accidentally gave them 3 cards, he elected to give me the third one in case of emergency. Whatever that meant. I think that was the one and only time I ever used it.

Don’t know why he glared. It was about 5 bucks in those days, that book. Not a lot. But the point was simple, she’d been mumbling she wanted his book for weeks, and weeks. All he had to do was LISTEN.

My hubby (of 26 years) and I read this one and the one about what things to look for in choosing a wife (I hope I didn't just slaughter that!) and laughed our buttons off! That felt good! THANKS!