Random Musings of One Tired Momma

So, my hubby and I own a sewing machine shop in which we sell Bernina machines, but service all brands of sewing machine. Our clientele consists of ages 25+, give or take with our oldest customers being in the 80’s and 90’s. We love our customers!

Just recently, I had a male enter the store to pick up his wife’s machine that we had completed service on. His first words as I grabbed the machine from the holding for pick-up location in our store were, ‘Let me carry that for you. These machines are heavy.’ I obliged because they are heavy and because I have been feeling a little rundown so my strength is not up to par. But mostly, because he was such a gentleman about it. Now, just an FYI, he was a man of the elderly population in which manners were taught, followed, and respected.

Now, this isn’t a post on how to be a gentleman, but more of a post appreciating the manners of a gentleman. My hubby is a true gentleman. No, he doesn’t open the door for me every time we go through a door, but he is a gentleman in the way that he leads the way for his lady (me!) or other females in general, meaning he walks on the outside of the sidewalk, he holds my arm when we walk into a room, he has the ‘ladies first’ thought process, and he offers his hand for support when the weather outside is unfriendly. He doesn’t speak vulgarly in the presence of women or even about women. He’s very attentive to detail and properly greets others through eye contact, handshake and a smile. He’s discreet in his life (friends, work, home, etc) and he knows his limits (and may push them sometimes, but is a fair judge of when enough is enough). He really is just a kind man.

So, why do we appreciate these qualities in a man? In my experience (it may not be the case for everyone’s experience), a man who practices such qualities and manners is open-minded, understands everyone has free will, is not easily controlled nor does he try to control, respects a woman and the role she plays in his life (his mother, his wife, his sister, etc) and often is a great husband and father. A man with such qualities typically provides well for his family often making sacrifices that most would not make. At the same time, said man will stand strong to his beliefs and holds himself to a certain standard.

I truly just believe in the good ole’ fashioned manners of a well-raised gentleman. And I hope I am raising my sons to be the gentlemen that a woman will appreciate.

Now, here are some things I truly appreciate about my hubby:

• his honesty, integrity, and generally caring demeanor. my husband doesn’t mince words and normally says what he means even if he only means the words in that moment. as I said, though, he does not speak vulgarly to me (name-calling, demeaning words, etc)
• he works hard to provide for his family and spoils me more than he should.
• he always makes sure i have a decent car first. the first and only car he’s ever bought off a car lot was for me after we had our twins.
• he laughs and plays with our daughters and sons.
• he teaches our sons to be gentleman by example. and teaches our daughters what a gentleman looks like.
• he loves me the way i am, no matter how frustrated he gets with me sometimes.
• yes, he very much can be a lecturer, but for the most part, he doesn’t try to control me. i make up my own mind and then he, more often than not, will face the joys and/or consequences with me.
• he makes me laugh. he makes me cry. he makes me so angry i want to throw things. but he’s there for me through everything.
• he gives without expectation: his time, his money, his talent. no matter what he’s out and about doing in his day, if he comes across something, he remembers someone in his life who was looking for just such thing and he lets said person know where it is.
• his ability to know and understand things i can’t. he’s logic and i’m emotion. sometimes, his logic is needed.
• his natural protectiveness. he doesn’t coddle me like i’m some breakable piece of china, but he will protect and defend me when needed. i’m somewhat of a firecracker (remember, emotional!) and generally speak my mind, but he will not let others speak ill to me and if it ever comes to physically hurting me, he’d never allow that to happen. we’ve dealt with that a couple of times.
• his strength: physical, mental, emotional. he’s the strongest man i know!
• how he looks in a fresh pair of jeans! and when he puts his hat on backwards!
• his knowledge! about so many things!
• his heart. it’s golden and true.

It’s funny how our minds can wander in the day and how one single action or word can make us ponder.

What do you appreciate about your guy?

i hope to see y’all share your own love stories!