Sometimes when I tease her/am bratty, Stacia says: Is that how you wanna talk to someone you love?

I think about that a lot. I apply it other places. It makes me better. Is this how I wanna talk to someone I love? Or respect? Or care for? Or want to show kindness?

Sometimes, when I am sulky, I ask myself: How do I want to talk to someone I love?

I’ve learned to treat other people the way I feel about them. Not the way I’m feeling about my current mood. It makes me better.

Sometimes, when I fight or argue with somebody, I ask myself: How do I want to talk to someone I respect?

I’ve learned to apologize more. I’ve learned to listen more. I’ve learned to model my care, not my defensiveness or my anger or my being oh so smart. It makes me better.

Sometimes, when someone hurts my feelings, I ask myself: How do I want to respond to someone I love?

I’ve learned to remind myself that mostly, people have good intentions. That anger doesn’t fix their mistakes. That gently asking for what I need does. It makes me better.

Sometimes, when I am tired or sad or anxious or mad I have to ask myself: How do I want to show someone I need care — or how will I let THEM show ME?

I’ve learned to ask for a hug or to give one, not to sulk. I’ve learned to push past my mood & into care. It makes me better.

Anyway, Stacia makes me a better person by loving me rhetorically and consistently and offering me new insights into how to show up for others. I’m grateful for her.

What a woman.
What a wife.
What a love.