I’m usually home from work before Jim is, so when his car pulls in the driveway I’ll gently wake the dogs from their naps and we’ll meet him at the door.
The dogs get greeted first, as it should be, and then Jim will set down his bag and coat and give me a hug.
I’ll say to him,
“Hello, husband, I’m glad you’re home,”
He’ll respond with,
“Hello, husband, I’m glad to be home,”
We don’t have to call each other husband. It could just be Jim and Anthony. But, it’s something we’ve done since we got married. Just a quiet and small reminder – an affirmation, maybe – of that commitment.
And then we’ll end the hug and decide on dinner and talk about our day and all the other things that come with having a life that is shared.