Karen Ehman encourages us to pay attention, go out of our way, and do a little something special for our husbands.


Today we welcome a new contributor. Karen Ehman of Proverbs 31 Ministries is here! I had the pleasure of meeting Karen last summer at the Women Living Well Conference. I absolutely love her in so many ways. – Darlene

I have known my husband over 30 years. Been married to him for nearly 28. But I just found out a fact about him recently.

He likes orange marmalade.

Oh, it’s not that I don’t know his likes and dislikes. I know all about his fondness for running and working out. I’m very cognizant of the fact that he loves smooth jazz music while I much prefer country instead. I know which way he likes his shirts folded and what brand of natural crunchy peanut butter he thinks is best. Ask me his favorite author and I’ll bet I get it right. Quiz me about his favorite color and I’ll be sure to tell you it is hunter green.

But the fact that he loves orange marmalade has never come up in our conversations over the last three decades.

Todd has never mentioned it. He’d been eating plenty of my homemade freezer jams for decades: strawberry, spiced peach, strawberry-banana, raspberry, even strawberry-rhubarb some years.

Never once did he reveal his love for the peel-laden, citrus-y delight that is orange marmalade. But one day, the subject of this jam came up and he mentioned how much he enjoys it. We were at a restaurant and had ordered pancakes for breakfast. When the basket of jams and jellies was passed he dug through the bottom looking very diligent. I questioned what he was looking for and he replied “Orange marmalade. It is my favorite.”

I took note of this fact and tucked it away in my brain. I know how much I love little out of the ordinary surprises especially when someone in my life takes the time to notice what I like and then gives it to me on a random day.

So someday very soon, I’ll make sure his breakfast not only includes a jar of this confection, but a sleeve of white English muffins to go with it—his favorite way to enjoy his beloved-treat.

What little-known treat does your husband enjoy that they haven’t tasted in years? Ask him. Go on a trip down memory lane and talk about your favorite childhood candies or his favorite flavor of cake his mom used to bake when he was growing up or some other special treat that he hasn’t tried in years that he might love to taste once again.

Yes. Do a little digging. (Stealthily now) And then?

Go out of your way to surprise him with a random special treat.

Next summer, along with mashing berries for my jam, I’ll be trying my hand at home-canned orange marmalade.

It will be a new venture. I’ll have Smuckers on stand-by.

I just might need to call for back-up. :-)

Karen Ehman
www.KarenEhman.com

confettiNOTE: For more creative ways to love on your family, friends and coworkers, check out Karen’s latest book: Everyday Confetti: Your Year-Rund Guide to Celebrating Holidays and Special Occasions. It contains over 200 ideas and recipes for celebrating holidays, holy days, and even the random every days.