Many women considering marriage might be wondering what the benefits are to having a husband. Well, as a wife of almost six months, I feel completely qualified to share my opinion with you on the matter. Here are 10 things I have experienced that husbands are good for.
1. Husbands are good chauffeurs.
This may be because they are gentlemanly...but I have a strong suspicion it's because husbands are afraid to let their wives drive. Okay, my husband may have stated that plainly, but that's beside the point.
Either way, they graciously drive so we can do other productive things like sleeping, reading, painting our toenails, doing homework, viewing the scenery, or sleeping some more.
2. Husbands keep life exciting.
Who wouldn't want to be woken up from a peaceful nap by having a large hand grab their ankle when they thought they were alone in their locked apartment?
The correct answer is EVERYONE, my dear husband.
From surprise dates, surprise gifts, and surprise plans with friends to surprise bills, surprise laundry, and even surprise children...you never know what's coming your way when you become a wife. (Seriously, there should be a training program for this much excitement.)
3. Husbands are great at taking your mind off things.
Especially important things...like homework. Or any other responsibility you may be burdened with at that moment.
Case and point: I sit down to write this article and my husband asks me if I know how to work a gun. He then proceeds to explain the process to me for the next 10 minutes.
4. Husbands prevent boredom.
I am never ever bored when I go home. My husband has always been kind enough to throw a dirty shirt on the floor just to give me something to pick up when I return. I mean, It's truly a blessing to live with a man who always seems to be running late and never has enough time to do his dishes.
If I didn't have him, I would have to sit down and read a book or curl up and watch a movie like girls without husbands...and I'm sure that amount of "boredom" would about kill me!
5. Husbands can improve your magic skills.
This one is super impressive. Whether it's a deadly odor that needs to be eliminated or a garbage bag left in the kitchen, I am able to make it disappear. (Even if that means hiding the smelly garbage bag in our bedroom.) No matter what he throws my way, the apartment will be spotless when company walks through that door.
Now I'd actually like to give husbands some credit...
6. Husbands are always around to talk to.
Marrying your best friend is not just a cliche phrase. When you marry your best friend, you can literally tell him everything - your good news, your excitement, your fears, your weird thoughts, and your ugly thoughts. My husband is there for me no matter what I'm thinking. He is the best sounding board in the world and my ability to share with him is one of my favorite parts of our relationship.
7. Husbands are people we can dream with.
I don't have to dream about the future on my own; I have someone who I can dream with and plan with. My husband is always excited when something in the future will align with our passions, but he is also just as excited when something in the future aligns with my passion. When you strive toward a dream or goal together it anchors you to one another and having company along the journey is always a plus!
8. Husbands show us all of our flaws.
Now, I know to most people this isn't a plus, but I love how my husband reveals things about me that I refuse to acknowledge. He truthfully and lovingly challenges me to change into a better person each day. But he doesn't just point out my flaws and walk away; he helps me overcome those flaws by praying for me, reminding me gently when I mess up, and cheering me on when that change becomes evident.
9. Husbands are great teddy bears.
My husband is not a hugger. However, I somehow became the lucky one he likes to hug. So whenever I am frustrated, sad, or just overwhelmed, he is always there with open arms. He no longer fears tears; he simply holds me knowing that, for some reason, I have times that I just need to cry. He knows that a hug can communicate more than words sometimes and ever denies me when I approach him for the fiftieth hug in the last two hours. (Secretly, I think he is comforted by them, too. But don't tell him I said that.)
10. Husbands remind us that we are valuable.
It's easy to get down on ourselves as women and especially as wives. But when my husband comes home and says, "I just love coming home to my best friend," my perspective always changes. I could have failed on a test that day, been let down by a friend, or forgotten to do all of our laundry, but when my husband lets me know that he looks forward to being with me just because I am me, that's when I am reminded of my value.
Being a wife is not easy. It takes a lot of self-reflection, humility, change, and determination. What I am learning is that I may not always be rewarded or acknowledged for how hard I work, but it goes both ways. I need to remember to acknowledge the amazing man that I married. The best roommate I've ever had. The goofiest dance partner I know. The hardest working provider I could have asked for. The man of God who is always willing to admit when he is wrong. I don't deserve him, no matter how many loads of laundry I do or how many times I make the bed. He is a blessing. He is my partner. And he is absolutely irreplaceable.
