Hi Dr. Laura,
I have been listening to you since I was in high school and have always appreciated your perspective on how women should treat their husbands. I am 30 years old and have been married to my husband for a little over two years.
From the time we were dating, we decided that should we marry and have kids, I would be a stay at home mother. This past January we welcomed our daughter. Since then I have been learning to adjust my days from board meetings and business suits to breast feeding and spit-up t-shirts. It is not always easy but I love it and wouldn't change anything.
Despite my best efforts and Mother Laura in the back of my mind guiding me, I have been making a huge mistake over the past three months. In the quiet moments while my baby was sleeping or enjoying her swing, I would run around the house putting away laundry, cleaning the bathrooms and fixing dinner. I thought my husband would love to come home to a beautiful house and a warm meal on the table, not giving a thought to my appearance. This is how I thought I was showing him I appreciate all of his hard work allowing me to be with our little girl. The other day it occurred to me; I haven't worn make up or curled my hair in at least two weeks!
Friday night, while sharing a glass of wine with my husband after our little one was fast asleep I asked him; "Honey, if I have an extra ten minutes in my day and I have to choose between washing the dishes before you come home or fixing my hair and make-up, which would you prefer?" He smiled shyly and said "Make-up..." My poor husband has been looking at a beast of a wife for the past three months and was too sweet to mention anything! I was putting my own grooming last on my to-do list thinking my husband would see my love for him through shiny floors and an impeccable sock drawer. What was I thinking? I didn't marry my mother, I married a man! I'm so glad I sat down to ask him.
Yesterday I got up and took 40 minutes to curl my hair I have a lot of hair and fix my make-up. This morning he got up early to load the dishwasher and wash bottles for me. Coincidence?...I think not.
Thank you for all you do.
Sarah
