Verbal Caresses
💘 words of consolation & affirmation go a long way in keeping love burning bright
We love because He first loved us
- 1 John 4:19.
We’ve been married 48 years. Today.
I’ve known him for almost 52 years.
Yes. That’s more than half a century.
I can’t even begin to put my hands around this stunning reality as the years relentlessly gallop faster and faster into an unknown future.
That summer of 1972 when we first set eyes on each other doesn’t seem like all that long ago.
But it sure is.
💘
One of the gifts that emerged after a particularly grueling season a few years back were these two short simple phrases, a long craved for empathy that he learned to gently speak out loud when I vulnerably shared from raw places of hurt, fear, frustration, or observing disrespect in action. Â
I know.
or
I'm sorry.
These tender quiet words of love continue to calm and soothe me beyond belief. He’s no ‘yes man’ and while this offering of loving grace doesn’t necessarily mean he agrees (or even understands), they simply let me know I’ve been heard.
I feel validated. Comforted. Known and accepted despite my endless parade of faults, frailties, and the occasional rantings unleashed when stirred up by something seen, heard, or experienced that unleashes some kind of (hopefully but not always) righteous indignation.
I'm not looking to be fixed or corrected, thank you very much. He learned the hard way. He knows that now. The Holy Spirit takes care of that kind of business and He does it well.
💘
My heart melts at my husband's verbal caresses.Â
💘Â
I know they are not his chosen love language. They sometimes don’t come easy. So whenever he steps out of his comfort zone to offer me those sweet words of affirmation or consolation that my soul yearns for, I fall more deeply in love with him.
Over and over again.
Needless to say, more than half a century later we are still most definitely a work in progress, propelled forward each day by the lovingkindness of our Savior Jesus. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m still learning to love lavishly. But the journey’s not over yet.
All we’ve got to do now is figure out his love language and we’ll be good to go.
Happy anniversary, Tim.
Linda 💘
click that little heart below to celebrate with us, friends 😉
48 years how amazing! I love how you shared how you are heard and validated. This is so touching and made me smile thinking of you two.
Thanks so much for sharing these wise words with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.
xo
Yay for you two! Congratulations!