Husbands Who Truly Appreciate Their Wives Do These 11 Things Without Being Asked
A little appreciation goes a long way.
Darren Baker / Shutterstock It doesn't take much for men to show their appreciation, which is why husbands who truly appreciate their wives do these things without being asked to. Sure, their friends might joke about them being under their wives' control. However, there is some truth to the saying "Happy wife, happy life."
Whether it's finding ways to show up for their partner or small acts of kindness, how a man behaves in his marriage has uplifting or devastating consequences. For men who remain neglectful and unbothered by their wives' needs, more often than not, they land themselves a one-way ticket to divorce land. However, men who show up for their wives and find ways to make them feel appreciated without having to be asked can expect their marriage to thrive for years to come. Showing consistent effort may not always be easy, but if both partners are willing to work together, there are many benefits to be had.
Husbands who truly appreciate their wives do these 11 things without being asked to
1. They express genuine gratitude
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The first thing a husband who truly appreciates their wives does is express genuine gratitude. It’s all too easy to forget to say, “Thank you,” when tensions are high and everyday life stressors get in the way. From endless work meetings to working multiple jobs to make ends meet, sometimes, even the most considerate partner will forget to express gratitude when it counts.
Yet, despite the difficulty, husbands who truly appreciate their wives will always go out of their way to show genuine care. Whether it’s a heartfelt thank you for a long, drawn-out speech, it doesn’t matter. Simply being acknowledged is enough to make most women feel loved and understood.
According to a study published in 2009, people who felt more understood by others experienced greater life satisfaction and happiness. So, if you’re doing this, keep on! Not only does this make someone an amazing husband, but it also makes their partner feel truly adored.
2. They offer emotional support
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Life is bound to get tough from time to time. Whether it’s family drama or workplace nonsense, these moments will test a couple and either make or break their marriage. Still, husbands who truly appreciate their wives don’t allow negativity to interfere with their marriage. Instead, they show up for their partner and find ways to show them how loved they are without coming off as overbearing.
This is why husbands who truly appreciate their wives offer emotional support without being asked. It sounds simple, but most men would be shocked at how alone women feel daily. It’s unfortunate, but women are highly stressed, and nine times out of ten, most women feel unsupported and unappreciated.
According to the 'State of Invisibility' survey, 75% of women feel invisible as mothers, while 95% feel unappreciated, unacknowledged, or unseen in their roles. So, while offering emotional support is considered the bare minimum, it stands that most women need more emotional support than their husbands realize.
3. They show affection freely
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There are two types of people in this world: those who are very affectionate and those who prefer to keep to themselves. In a room full of strangers, it’s understandable why most men wouldn’t feel comfortable being touchy-feely with someone they barely know. However, when it comes to their wives, a husband who truly appreciates his wife will almost always show affection freely, even if he’s typically an introvert.
It might sound strange, but when looking closely at human behavior, it’s not uncommon for people to want connection. According to an associate faculty member in the University of Arizona Global Campus Psychology Department, Jessica Koehler, Ph.D., "The need to belong, to feel part of a group, and to form meaningful connections is a fundamental aspect of the human experience."
So, while all husbands are different and some would much prefer to keep to themselves, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t still affectionate. From calling them honey to pinching their cheeks, there are plenty of ways to show affection freely that aren’t so physical. So, if a husband is unafraid to show it to his adoring wife, take this as a sign that he definitely appreciates her.
4. They help out around the house
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Listen, everybody hates doing chores, and it isn’t just a gender thing. Despite what social media may say, chores are one of those things that all adults, regardless of age, have to do, most of the time, begrudgingly. That being said, husbands who truly appreciate their wives will always help out around the house without being asked to. It’s simple, but in a world where women are still expected to work and take care of the household chores, a man who steps up without being asked to is a rarity.
According to the Gender Equity Policy Institute, women do twice as many household chores as men do. So, while it might sound dramatic, women aren’t kidding when they say that they feel overworked and overwhelmed. It’s unfortunate, but the support system for women is at an all-time low, which is why having these adoring husbands is so amazing.
5. They celebrate her achievements
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In life, there will be moments where one partner is fast sailing and the other partner is still trying to get their bearings. It’s unfortunate and a bit of an ego hit, but when both partners can view one another as a team and not as competition, this is when marriages truly start to thrive. With this in mind, husbands who truly appreciate their wives celebrate her achievements without being asked to.
It doesn’t take much for a woman to feel loved and cherished by her husband. From giving her a huge hug to screaming congratulations to taking her out to celebrate, a man who isn’t afraid to praise his wife is a man who tends to have the happiest of marriages.
So husbands, if you’re always celebrating her wins and find yourself genuinely proud of her, then pat yourself on the back, it’s clear as day that you truly appreciate and adore your wife.
6. They surprise her with small gestures
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What’s her favorite candy? What makes her smile? A husband who truly appreciates their wife will always surprise her with small gestures without being asked to. Now, nobody is saying drop thousands of dollars to make her happy. However, there are smaller, more meaningful gestures that men can consider.
For instance, when they’re at the gas station, they shouldn’t mind picking up her favorite candy, or if they’re at the grocery store, picking up a $13 bouquet. While some might consider these things tedious, it’s small things like this that make women feel loved and appreciated by their man.
As most people can testify, feeling heard is the most beautiful feeling in the world. According to a study published in 2023, feeling heard is the cornerstone of any relationship. So, while it might take a little extra thought, don’t forget to put in effort into these small gestures. Women who feel heard feel seen in the marriage, leading to a stronger partnership in the long run.
7. They carve out time for her
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Husbands who truly appreciate their wives carve out time for them without being asked. It sounds obvious, but too many times, both partners forget to give one another the time of day. From unintentionally ignoring their partner to feeling burned out, there are tons of reasons as to why husbands don’t make enough time for their wives.
Even so, just because they aren’t doing it now doesn’t mean they can’t change. According to research from the Gottman Institute, couples should be spending about six hours together per week. So long as husbands know this, there are ways to carve out this time without it being too disruptive in the couple’s already hectic life.
From date nights to spending an hour before bed watching their favorite TV show, spending time together doesn’t have to be a hassle. However, if husbands are already doing this, then they’re already showing their wives just how much they appreciate them all without being told to.
8. They respect her boundaries and opinions
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Every couple comes into the relationship having their own set of boundaries and expectations. As intimidating as it may seem, the longer they’re married, the more they learn to respect their opinions and boundaries, even if they’re drastically different. That being said, there are couples out there who never have these conversations in the first place. Whether it’s because they got married too young or simply because they never thought much about it, they never learned to assert themselves, let alone respect their differences.
This isn’t great, as according to licensed psychologist Jordan Fiorillo Scotti, Ph.D., "Boundaries are the imaginary lines we draw around ourselves to promote physical and mental well-being."
Husbands who truly appreciate their wives are already on top of things, which is why they’ve had these important conversations and have learned to respect her boundaries and opinions, all without being asked to.
9. They defend her against friends and family
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Now, the topic of family can be a bit tricky for the average couple. It’s unfortunate, but not all friends and family members are as kind and helpful as people would like them to be. As a result, it’s not uncommon for married couples to get into screaming matches with one another over other people’s actions.
That being said, husbands who truly appreciate their wives defend her against friends and family without being asked to. It should be simple enough, but unfortunately, not everyone is on the same page. From cultural differences to unresolved trauma, there are plenty of reasons as to why husbands will throw their wives under the bus for their parents.
Yet, unfortunately for them, this never works out well, as all this does is cause a rift in their marriage. So, to avoid this, husbands should always defend their partners, even if they’re in the wrong. Sure, in the privacy of their own home, there is room for criticism and growth; however, out in public, when their partner is depending on them the most, husbands and wives should always stand their ground, no matter what.
10. They compliment her
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No matter what a wife says, 99% of wives want to be complimented. After spending hours showering, shaving, getting dressed, and doing their makeup, the last thing they want to hear is a “That’s nice,” while their husband barely pays them a glance. Luckily, husbands who truly appreciate their wives compliment them without being asked to. Thanks to their parents or past relationship experience, these husbands have mastered the art of making their wives feel special and beautiful.
Whether they’re dressed like Adam Sandler or a Victoria's Secret model, it doesn’t matter; these adoring husbands know how to make their wives feel loved and appreciated no matter how much weight they gain or lose. According to international speaker and author Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D., "Relational partners derive satisfaction in part from knowing their significant other finds them physically attractive."
That being said, that isn't enough to satisfy a partner. According to one study published in 2013, this only worked when it was also paired with a compliment based on non-physical qualities. So, while husbands might be thinking, "I always compliment my wife," be sure to also through in a compliment about her heart or her brain, otherwise, it might fall a bit flat.
11. They encourage her to chase her dreams
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Finally, husbands who truly appreciate their wives encourage them to chase their dreams without being asked to. It’s unfortunate, but when women get married, they’re often pressured to give up on the things that once made them happy in favor of being a wife and mother. And while this is a noble action, who's to say women can’t have it all? Sure, they can be excellent mothers, but simultaneously, in the same way men can, women can also be great leaders, lawyers, or doctors.
It’s a slippery slope of constantly balancing themselves, but with the right support system, almost any woman can chase their dreams with a supportive husband. So, while it might not always be easy, husbands who encourage their wives clearly adore and appreciate them for all their hard work and don’t want to see that hard work go to waste.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's degree in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, family, and astrology topics.
