Hey there, let me tell you, I been married to my old man for, what, 50 years now? And if there’s one thing I learned, it’s what a woman wants in a relationship. It ain’t rocket science, but some folks just don’t get it. You wanna keep your woman happy, here you go.
Respect Her, You Hear?
First thing, a man gotta respect his woman. That’s the big one. You gotta respect her thoughts, her feelings, even when she’s nagging you about taking out the trash. She ain’t a doormat, she’s your partner. We all need respect from each other. Don’t talk down to her. Don’t be bossing her around like she’s some kinda hired help. You treat her like a queen, she’ll treat you like a king. Simple as that.
And appreciation, yeah, that’s important too. You gotta show her you appreciate what she does. She cooks you dinner, you tell her it’s good. Even if it ain’t. Okay, maybe not lie, but you get the picture. A little “thank you” goes a long way, you know? A woman wants to feel appreciated.
Talk to Each Other, For Pete’s Sake!
Next thing, you gotta talk. Not just about the weather or what’s for supper. Real talk. You gotta tell her what’s on your mind, and you gotta listen when she tells you what’s on hers. Communication, they call it. We all need effective communication. Important in a good relationship, you see. If something’s bothering you, spit it out. Don’t let it fester like a bad tooth.
- Tell her you love her.
- Ask her about her day.
- Share your dreams, even the silly ones.
- Don’t keep secrets, that only leads to trouble.
My old man, bless his heart, he used to clam up like an oyster. Drove me nuts! Finally, I told him, “Henry, you gotta talk to me! I ain’t a mind reader!” He got better at it. Took some work, but he got there. A woman wants a good listener. You should be a good listener.
Be There For Her
A woman, she wants a man who’s there for her. Through thick and thin, you know? When she’s feeling down, she needs a shoulder to cry on. When she’s celebrating, she wants someone to share her joy. She needs a man who can feel what she feels. Empathy. She wants empathy. Be there for her, always. A good relationship needs this.
And let me tell you, life ain’t always sunshine and rainbows. You’re gonna have your fights. Every couple does. But you gotta learn to fight fair. No name-calling, no bringing up stuff from ten years ago. Stick to the issue at hand, and try to see her side of things. That is called conflict resolution.
You can be angry, sure, but don’t let it turn into hate. Talk it out, even if it takes all night. And when it’s over, it’s over. Don’t hold a grudge. Just be a good man, you know. That’s important.
Do Things Together
You gotta have things in common, too. Shared values and goals, they call it. Doesn’t mean you gotta like all the same things. My old man, he loved fishing. Me, I couldn’t stand it. But we both loved our garden. We spent hours out there, tending to our tomatoes and beans. We made a good team.
Find something you both enjoy, whether it’s dancing, or watching old movies, or just sitting on the porch swing talking. It don’t matter what it is, as long as you’re doing it together. A woman wants that feeling of emotional intimacy, she wants to feel close to you. Spend time together. It is just that simple.
Don’t Be a Dummy
And for crying out loud, don’t be a dummy. A woman wants a man with a brain. A man who can figure things out. Emotional intelligence. That’s it. I am talking about EQ. It is about how you understand and manage feelings. If the sink’s leaking, don’t just stand there scratching your head. Figure out how to fix it, or call someone who can. If she needs help with something, don’t just shrug and say, “I don’t know.” Try to help her!
And another thing, don’t be afraid to show your feelings. A woman wants a man who’s not afraid to be vulnerable. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to say “I love you.” It don’t make you weak, it makes you human. And it makes you a good husband.
Love Her, Love Her Good
And most importantly, you gotta love her. Really love her. Not just the pretty parts, but the messy parts too. Love her when she’s happy, love her when she’s sad, love her when she’s mad as a hornet. Love her laugh, love her smile, love the way she makes you feel. That’s what a woman really wants. Just love. Lots and lots of love. Love is important in a relationship. Everybody knows it. So, that’s about it, I reckon. Just be a good man, treat her right, and love her with all your heart. That’s the secret to a happy marriage, at least it has been for me and my old man. And we’re still going strong, after all these years. A woman wants all these things. Just be a good man and that’s it.
