I couldn’t believe he didn’t realize the absurdity of his question. “Dave. Really? Me putting it up was your excuse for not noticing. Remember?”
It was painfully obvious that he was grasping at straws to make conversation about my new hairstyle. I started to feel sorry for this pathetic sap who was digging his own grave, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. He sighed with relief that he wasn’t in trouble and laughed at himself, too, as I mercilessly teased him.
It wasn’t until later that I realized the significance of this interaction. I didn’t get mad at him. And he sincerely tried to show interest in my hair even though he honestly couldn’t see the difference. And we wound up laughing together over it.
I wouldn’t have always responded with humor. And he wouldn’t always have tried to fumble through a conversation about my hair. There was a season in our marriage when I would have gotten angry and accused him of not noticing me and he would have gotten angry back and we’d have wound up in a big argument over a silly hair cut.
It took me a long time to stop expecting Dave to react like my girlfriend when I change up my appearance. He will not squeal with delight. He will not demand to know how many inches I cut off. He will not twirl me around in wonder like I am Cinderella at the ball. And if I expect him to, it winds up hurting both of us.
There are plenty of men who will notice their lady’s new hairstyle. My husband didn’t inherit that gene. If I want him to notice a haircut, I have to tell him I got my hair cut and exactly how its different. If I want his opinion on a new outfit, I have to drag him kicking and screaming to the store. If I want him to comment on just about anything regarding my appearance, I have to explicitly state this expectation. Then he usually obliges.
I had to stop expecting him to be someone he wasn’t and celebrate the person he is.
My husband has fifty things to notice in any given day and my hairstyle will never be one of them. It isn’t because he is a big dufus who doesn’t care about me. It is just not a way he shows me he cares.
He shows me he cares by running literally any errand I ask him to. He shows me he cares by jumping up to help clean the kitchen after dinner. He shows me he cares by keeping the lawn immaculate, the farm stocked and the cars in working order. He shows me he cares by waking at 5AM to plow the driveway in frigid temps. He shows me he cares by pursuing excellence at his job and providing for me and the kids.
Of course there is something to be said for a woman needing compliments from her man. But by and large, this is not something that comes naturally to my husband. So I have to give him grace and encouragement in this department and any others where he falls short or I will just wind up hurt or angry.
And, to take it a step further, I had to learn not to jump all over him when he makes an effort. Even if, like in the case of my recent haircut, his efforts are an epic failure.
Maybe there are areas where your spouse isn’t meeting your expectations and you find yourself perpetually exasperated or hurt by it. Maybe he doesn’t notice when you need help with the kids or the laundry or the yard like you wish he would. Maybe you are sick of reminding him.
Perhaps your expectations need to be adjusted.
By all means, clearly communicate your needs to your spouse. But it might be the case that yes, you do need to remind him every single time from now until eternity. It might just be the way he’s wired. And it’s your choice whether you respond in anger or with grace.
Focusing on where your husband perpetually falls short and letting it be a nidus for an argument will get you nowhere in your marriage.
Better to give grace and gentle encouragement than hostility and anger. Better to remind yourself of the things your spouse does right than remind yourself how, once again, you were disappointed. And better to celebrate the person you married rather than wish he was someone he will never be.
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This article originally appeared at Twenty Shekels.
