Note: For those who receive my blog by email, you will get Marriage Monday on Tuesday morning. Blogger was down all day Sunday and Monday and I was unable to post until Monday afternoon. So better late than never…here’s this week’s Marriage Monday!

Men and women are very different creatures. We think differently, we experience contrasting emotions, and we are physically attracted to completely different things. When you add in personality differences, you really can see why some marriage experts say that the best marriages happen when you make a lifetime effort at studying your spouse.

This week’s Marriage Monday will look at how men and women are different in what attracts us to each other.

Mark says…

Jill and I were recently in Orlando at several media events. In one gathering Jill caught my eye and made her way across the room, slipping her arm in mine saying, “I am so glad to be here with you.” My heart soared and I found myself loving being there in that moment with her.

I find myself attracted to Jill when she laughs. I love her laughter. When Jill laughs, her eyes light up, and my heart fills up and I find myself attracted and loving that moment with her.

I am moved when Jill tells me she is proud of me or thankful for me or something I have done. When she speaks these things to me, she has such positive influence upon me. I find myself deeply attracted to her. I also must say that I have found myself deeply attracted to Jill when she speaks honest truths to me with love, sensitivity and grace.

I find myself attracted to Jill when she cuddles up next to me on the couch, when she places her arm in mine as we walk along.

Jill may prefer non-sexual touch during the day, but for me, well I’ll be happy to take the opposite anytime. That’s when I know she’s speaking my language.

The other day Jill sent me a text message saying how much she loved me…which is not a usual occurrence for us, but it was one I treasure.

These actions haven’t always been present in our marriage. We’ve both had to learn how keep that lovin’ feeling. It’s not just there because we said “I do” nearly 27 years ago. It has to be nurtured everyday.

Jill says…

Last week I witnessed my 13-year-old son and his friend ask my husband to have an air-soft gun battle with them. For the next hour I would stop at the window occasionally and watch the three of them dash across the yard, hide behind trees, and trade partners off and on to keep the competition fair.

Watching him play with the boys, I found myself so attracted to him.

It took me back to many years ago when the kids were small and I would watch Mark wrestle with them on the floor. They loved to pretend that they could pin their dad to the floor and he would let them feel like they were beating him.

Their laughter and giggles warmed my heart and I found myself so attracted to him.

When we finish dinner and Mark says “I’ll empty the dishwasher,” something warms inside of me and I find myself attracted to him.

When Mark gives me a back rub without letting his hands wander, I feel so respected and find myself attracted to him.

Yes, honey, emptying the dishwasher is considered foreplay for this busy mom!

What about you? What attracts you to your spouse? What do you do to keep that lovin’ feelin’ in your marriage?

Oh and don’t forget, about our marriage Getaway Giveaway we’re doing this summer. You can find the info on the challenge and the accompanying giveaway HERE.

Want regular encouragement?

Subscribe to get Jill's latest content by email.

(You can view our privacy policy here.)

2 Comments

Shalene on June 8, 2010 at 5:08 am

I am so incredibly attracted to my husband when he leads me in prayer, either just the two of us, or all of us as a family. When he speaks words of affirmation about who I am as a mother, and as his wife. When he speaks of me and to me as his equal. When he helps me out around the house, not because I didn't do it, but because he simply wants to do something for me to make my life easier (kind of like the emptying the dishwasher thing.) And the non-sexual touch is huge! I'm more likely to find myself in a romanticly inclined mood if he's giving me non-sexual touch. 🙂 Funny how that works, huh? I also am very attracted to him when he plays with the children. When he makes them laugh I just get all fuzzy. (It sounds like you and I are alot alike in this respect, Jill.) Thanks for sharing with us!
ARK on June 8, 2010 at 9:28 am

I am attracked to my husband when we have meaningful converstions, not just the day to day how was work and what not. When we dated we talked a lot in his truck. It was in his truck that I learned a lot about him. Ironically today we still have some of our best conversations in our car or van. Perhaps it's because our child is strapped in his carseat and is more content to color and what not – I don't know, but truly hearing from my husband makes me fall in love with him all over again. Also, hearing my husband pray and sing hymns with my son – gosh it just melts me..and of course their laughter..