Today is our 23rd anniversary. We almost forgot it!

What does my husband mean to me? Oh, so many superlatives pass through my brain to describe Tim. However, I’m not a superlative kind of person. Instead, I like answering the question, “What does it look like to be cherished by Tim?”

He empathises, is aware of all my ups and downs, yet gives me the space to feel my feelings. If I need to be in the garden by myself, he takes care of everything else.

He is egalitarian, not competetive at all! Tim does not feel the need to one-up anybody, even though he could legitimately do so. We are a team, playing to each other’s strengths. When it’s time for me to shine, he makes sure the light bulb is screwed in just right!

He is humble, yet knows his own strengths and does practice them quietly, not seeking attention. As a result, I can always depend on him and can call on him for help, even in the middle of the night.

Tim is consistently and respectfully mindful of others, not telling them how to feel, think, pray, or love. He listens to me intently, and has learned that he can’t solve everything for me, even though it’s his heart’s desire to do so.

He is tenderhearted, quick to shed tears and quick to laugh. For example, my youngest granddaughter once called him in tears that one of her fish had babies, and another fish was trying to eat them. What does he do? He jumps in the car, goes to Pet Smart, buys a fish nursery (never knew there was such a thing), races out to her house, installs it in her fish tank, and wipes her tears. Not once did he rebuke her for her tears and strong feelings. That’s my kind of guy!

I say to him frequently, “Thank you for loving me so well.” His response is always, “I try. That’s all I want to do!”

How well do you love?