 What women want in relationships
Romance
It's another night on the couch with take-out? Just because we're
staying in doesn't mean the evening can't be romantic. Light a few
candles. Treat us like your girlfriend, even after we become your wife.
Do all of the things that made us fall in love with you don't have to
stop just because now there are bills to pay, a house to be cleaned, and
kids that need to get bathed. Bring home flowers for no reason. We're
not talking $100 bouquets of roses here. Even the $10 bouquets from the
supermarket are enough to make us smile.
 Dinner
Of the homemade variety. You may not be good at cooking and you may
not know how to boil water.
But greeting us at the door after a long day
with fish sticks (or whatever you can wrastle up) makes us swoon,
because it shows that you've been thinking about us and our hectic day.
 Respect
Show us through your actions that you respect our opinions, careers,
interests, friends, bodies and minds. You don't have to agree with all
that we say or do, but try to honour our opinions as valuable
contributions.
Follow the golden rule and treat us as you would like to
be treated: Be honest, fair, kind, and considerate.
 Time
We understand relationships can't be all romance; simply making the
time to be with us and treating us like your top priority says "love"
more than all the fancy gifts and lovely letters ever could. This
includes helping around the house. The realities of a 21st-century
relationship are that both partners probably work.
If you happen to get
home before we do, why not vacuum the living room or throw in a load of
laundry or take the garbage out without being asked?
 Communication
Women are vocal creatures. We know you love us, but it's nice to hear
you say it, too. We can also be insecure. We wish we weren't, but the
reality is that we often notice our wobbly thighs and forget about our
gorgeous eyes. So let us know when you think we're hot. Tell us we're
beautiful. It helps us feel good. Words of appreciation aren't half-bad
either. Tell us you love our cooking. Thank us for taking the kids to
school. Notice that we cleaned the bathroom. It doesn't have to be over
the top, just let us know that you see the effort we put in, and you're
grateful.
 Consistency
This doesn't mean be boring and predictable. It means that we know
you will (usually, no one is perfect!) give us the love and support we
need. Knowing that you're coming at this with the same desires and
energy as we are goes a long way to making us feel secure.
 Engagement
Of the mental kind, not the 'I'm getting married in the morning'
kind. You don't have to like everything we like (we might be a little
concerned if you do), but showing interest in our passions, be it
career-related, a sport or a hobby, goes a long way. Listen when we talk
to you. We're not speaking just so we can hear our own voice; we want to
connect with you and this is one valuable way we do this. This also
means paying attention to the little things. Whether it's the name of
your best friend's husband or the fact that you hate Nicolas Cage
movies, it's the little things you remember about us that's so
endearing.
 Humour and Humility
These two tend to go hand in hand. This doesn't mean that you have to
crack jokes or entertain us, but just being able to laugh at yourself is
enough. Guys who take themselves too seriously bring everyone down. |
