“say say oh playmate…”

Today I spent almost all day on my feet…doing dishes, making homemade chicken soup, and five separate batches of cookies. By the end of the day all I could think about was a hot shower and bed.

While I was eating my dinner, hubby asked me to pull the rules out of the new card game he had received (an early Christmas present from himself), so I could acquaint myself. He insisted that he knew I wouldn’t want to play tonight, but he wanted me to read the rules. I resisted heavily–making an excuse about being too tired to even think, and in the end he gave in and let me eat my soup in peace.

After dinner, I was washing the dishes and he came to me, asking me for a “really big favor.” I asked him what I would receive in return, and he promised a back and foot rub (we then dickered back and forth on the time length…) and then I finally asked what the favor was. He wanted me to play one game of the cards with him.

Again I resisted with complaints and excuses…the more I resisted the more he begged. I really didn’t want to play but he was so insistent (and so darn cute!) that finally I gave in.

We ended up playing 3 rounds, and having a wonderful time together.

It wasn’t until later on this evening when I remembered something I had read it the book “His Needs, Her Needs.” One of the greatest needs of a man is his need for a playmate…a recreational partner. Someone to goof off with– to have fun with. I realized tonight that my husband’s need for me to play a game with him wasn’t just a result of his stubborn fun-loving spirit (as hard as it is for me to appreciate that part of him sometimes!), but rather a need…a need I could meet.

Once I realized that, it was like “Of course! That makes so much sense! duh!!”

So I learned a lesson in meeting the needs of my husband. I learned it with some resistance, but I think I learned it well…at least for now!