Image via DPS & Jonathan Pollack
There is no sincerer love than the love of food.
—George Bernard Shaw
You gotta love good old George Bernard… such a way with words. And today we’re going to have our way with food. In the first few Husband Projects, we’ve covered gratitude, compliments, friendship, and good gossip. Those are four outstanding ways to a man’s heart, husband or not. I’ve heard from women and experienced for myself the incredible effect that even just a few days of intentional planning and focus on the love of my life can have.
A Picture of the Modern Woman
Today we’re going to get a little unconventional, or at least unconventional for the modern woman who may loathe spending time in anything remotely resembling a kitchen. No, I’m not asking you to get barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen and cook him a gourmet meal. Nothing wrong with that, but it may be a little out of the comfort zone or time zone of many readers. We can’t all be the multi-talented Pioneer Woman (not that she’s barefoot and pregnant, but she can whip up a gourmet meal and teach the rest of us too!)
So how can we find our way into the heart of a man by capitalizing on the food-heart connection, without breaking our back or bank in the process?
Three Unconventional Steps to a Man’s Heart
- Find it. Buy it. Bake it. If you already know his most craved, outrageously favorite food, find a way to get it to him. No shame in take out or pick up. He’ll enjoy it just the same.
- Discover the Weakness. If you don’t know that one food item he dreams about, ask. Don’t tell him why… maybe just tell him you were craving some sweet treat yourself and you were wondering what he craves, if anything. Armed with your new knowledge, go track it down for him.
- Stock Up. Don’t buy or make just one… since you’re already out and thinking about it, stock up. This is a great time saver and will give you a leg up for those days when your energy level is down but you still want to shower him with love.
- BONUS: If you have a man who actually likes to cook or whip up some of his own specialties, why not get him the tools he needs to make that happen. I checked in with fab chef Stephen about what the aspiring chef might like… Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, because it’s THE essential kitchen tool, tough, fun to use, and lasts forever. Or for the not so aspiring chef, how about the pizza peel and cutter. Every man loves a good pizza!
My Challenge
Today I’m headed to the store to stock up on a few of my husband’s favorite goodies: chocolate chip cookies, Ben & Jerry’s Twisted ice cream, and some hot chocolate. I’ll spring one of the treats on him tonight after dinner, then save the others for a day when I know he could use a pick-me-up.
Why It Works
Think with me for a minute about a time when someone surprised you. It could have been with a gift, a message, a note of encouragement, or a special treat. What made it special? I’ll venture to guess that it was not only what you received, but knowing that despite the busyness in their own life, they thought about you. Not only did they stop long enough to think about you, but they considered specific information about you which means at some point they paid attention or listened to you. And we all crave someone who notices us. To top it all off, they acted on that knowledge knowing that what they were doing would bring you joy. That is powerful.
You’ve got that power in your hands now. To whom much has been given, much is required. It’s your turn. I dare you to make the man in your life feel like he’s won the lottery by having you by his side. I promise you it will pay off in spades.
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