Plot Monkeys

How Do You Know?

I am in a deeeeep writing dive, but I had a little something to share.

Have you seen the Disney movie Enchanted? There’s this very cute song in it called “How Do You Know” and it’s all about how a woman knows a man loves her. And that, basically, it’s the little things he does that prove it much more than the sweeping gestures.

Sunday was Mother’s Day. I made my dinner request–grilled steaks & grilled veggies. Yummm. Since my hubby refuses to use a gas grill, and sticks to charcoal, the outdoor cooking is his purview and he’s darn good at it.

Only, it POURED all weekend. We’re talking deluge time. But Bruce knows I just don’t like steaks cooked inside, and so…

Yes, he risked life and limb and lightning and chills to grill me my steak & veggies.

Isn’t he cute in his cowboy stuff?

When people tell me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful husband, they’re usually talking about things like this. It’s not grand gestures or showering of jewels or huge romantic moments (though he’s good at all that, too!) it’s the small, incredibly thoughtful, loving things like this that let me know he loves me.

Yikes. How on earth can I top this for Father’s Day next month?!?

How about you, can you relate? What small, lovely gesture told you how much you were loved?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 6:00 am and is filed under Leslie. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

25 Comments »

I love that song. I love that movie! LOL
I love it whenever I have a slight sickness, my hubby will always get worried and if I’m craving for something, I almost always get it. hee hee

Comment by bunny — May 13, 2008 @ 6:30 am
I got flowers, a card and this little “Angel” pin called “Wings and Wishes” On the box it says “Believe Angel: Wear this faithful angel and if you do believe soon you’ll see that there is nothing you cannot achieve.” He got me this because I’ve been having so many doubts lately about my writing career. My daughter, Lilly gave me a bracelet with pastel and silver beads and a heart on it with “mother” inscribed. She got one too. It was a mother/daughter thing. Then Mike kept telling me all day to sit down, relax. Then they took me out to dinner–my request–burger and fries! Delish!

Cher

Comment by Cher — May 13, 2008 @ 7:48 am
You know…nothing says love like a man putting gas in his wife’s car. And doing dishes. At my mom’s house. That’s twoo wuv. (Princess Bride reference!) And jewelry. There’s always jewelry!

Comment by Julie Leto — May 13, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I got a card from my step-daughter, who also sent one to my mom. Now that is thoughtful.

My daughter didn’t argue with me the whole day, even though we were stuck in a car for more than 6 hours together, coming home from DC and traffic was a nightmare at the NJ/NY interchanges. That was a nice present.

Hubby did squat- but gee- I am not shocked. I did charge my entire weekend on the credit card. He did manage to feed the animals for 4 whole days without them turning on him.

And jewerlly is always good. So are shoes and purses. Dang, there goes that credit card again…..

Comment by ev — May 13, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Hubby and 4 kids fixed me breakfast in bed. The kids each made me a lovely card and hubby gave me a new alarm clock/radio/CD player, which was great because my alarm broke months ago.

My hubby is great with the ‘little’ things. He takes care of my van, he does dishes, he’s great with our kids, he doesn’t complain if the house is messy, and he even kills spiders when called upon to do so.

Comment by Georganna — May 13, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Leslie, you are so lucky…hubby and #2 son made me crab cakes (after I told him to…lol). I thought that was nice…

Comment by katie — May 13, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Aww Cher–having that support and someone saying “you can do this” is a HUGE help in this career!

Bunny I liked the movie in the theater but it’s grown on me even more on DVD. And Julie, yes, going outside to a car on F when it was on E is a delight.

Ev–that’s very kind. I’m a total slug and forgot to send my stepmother a card. Or my m-i-l. This book has zapped all my brain cells.

Georganna–I’m the spider killer in our house. But Bruce is the snake-catcher. We always laugh and say he’d save me in Raiders and I’d save him in Temple of Doom. (WOO Can’t wait til the new Indiana Jones!!)

Comment by Leslie — May 13, 2008 @ 9:49 am
My brother in law got me a Mother’s Day gift too(I’m not a mom yet). He got the entire family, me included, tickets to a Braves game in a few weeks. I love baseball, and my sister told me I could tell her what was going on as we watched. We are also taking my 3 nieces to the American Girl store in Atlanta before the game. Should be a really great weekend.

My dad will stand in the rain to grill too. I think it must be a man thing.

Comment by Liza — May 13, 2008 @ 10:00 am
Les, mine knocked it out of the park this weekend. Because Jen, Vicki and I set our dates without really looking at the calendar, we were “retreating” on Mother’s Day. (Great time. Vicki came over and got to experience the tornado sirens going off three times and was glued to the Viper Doppler Radar until we got the all clear.) Anyway, it was after 5 on Sunday before I got home, but the house was clean, the animals had been properly cared for and I had a spa package gift certificate in my MD card. (I’ve already booked everything for tomorrow!) Then he and the kids took me out for dinner. Great Mother’s Day.

Comment by Rhonda Nelson — May 13, 2008 @ 10:02 am
My husband made me my fried strawberry cream cheese sandwich for breakfast. Strawberries and cream cheese in between two pieces of bread, dipped in french toast batter, fried and sprinkled with powder sugar. I love that stuff. My 2 daughters and my husband went in on a desk for me. Mine is ancient, old and yucky. LOL My oldest brought me a caramel macciato (sp) from starbucks, pretty earrings and a card with her voice recorded wishing me happy Mother’s day playing the song “You’re Unbelievable” and best of all brought me my 16 month old granddaughter to play with. I love that girl. We had a great dinner also cooked by my husband and pie made by my youngest. It was a wonderful day. I love my husband’s cooking and he always makes me feel like a queen no matter what day it is.

Comment by Kirsten — May 13, 2008 @ 11:04 am
<>

Yes, Leslie, without his support I wouldn’t be able to stay in the trenches.

Love that angel pin :-)

Cher

Comment by Cher — May 13, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
My hubby and kids shopped my Amazon wish list, which I really keep for myself when books are due out, or I discover an author and would like to read some of their older books so this was really cool and very surprising!! Also my 20 year old daughter made me a paper crown with glitter and stickers just like one she made me 10 years ago…again very sweet and surprising. We had breakfast with my MIL and then dinner with my mom and two sisters…all and all a great day!

Comment by Tina Martinesi — May 13, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
Awww how sweet, I love Bruce. I used to love it when he came in our chats and talked with us too.
I love the movie Enchanted, took Nataia to see it for her birthday.

Comment by BadBarb — May 13, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Aww…. I love hearing stories like this, Leslie! Bruce is AWESOME!
I know my husband loves me because he lets me sleep in when he can–he gets up with the kids and starts breakfast, even though he’s leaving for the office. He takes us out for sushi when he can–my favorite And just last night, he got up when our youngest woke up crying… What a man!

Comment by Fedora — May 13, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Leslie you are so lucky that we would go out there and grill for you in the rain that is something my hubby would do and he did on Saturday but he did it in the garage. Mother’s Day we had are youngest graduation from College and he was so worried about me that I wouldn’t have a good day and I told him I real happy because we were with tons of people.
And youngest made be a DVD with the family in it and songs that I love. The oldest one is going to have a baby girl my first grand baby so she bought me stuff from the baby. A grandma frame and shirt it was so nice it was a great day. Plus hubby and girls got me lots of flowers.

Comment by Brenda M — May 13, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
You know, reading all these wonderful things about the great men (and children!) in our lives, it makes me wonder: do romance novel readers & writers know how to pick ‘em or what??

Comment by Leslie — May 13, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
Interesting blog you got going her Leslie…I can’t really add anything…but, Bruce you are the man…risking life and limb for your woman…btw, you do look good in that cowboy outfit…

Sorry, I missed yesterday’s blog Carly. I haven’t been on a girls night overnight…EVER, unless you count bivouacing with the military…I am sure you will have fun…

Incidentally, I am getting ready to leave for Vegas on Thursday, so I haven’t been able to get on because I am trying to get all my work done; leave stuff for my substitute teachers, and make sure my place is clean before I go.

Peace and love,
Paula R.

Comment by Paula R. — May 13, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Mine does the grilling in the winter. I do all the summer stuff.

Mine doesn’t fill up my car or anything like that, but he also doesn’t complain too much when I go overboard on the credit card. Although we went to Joan’s today. I think I will stay home for a week or so…

Comment by ev — May 13, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
I haven’t see the movie yet.

That was very sweet of Bruce to go out in the rain to grill for you

I got a Past, Present and Future diamond necklace from my son and hubby.

We took my mil out to dinner Sunday.

We spent Saturday night with my mom & dad

Comment by Cherylann — May 13, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Over a span of four decades plus years, there are so many instances of Honey
showing how he cares for me that it is hard to choose just one! Knowing how
much I love “Phantom of the Opera” when the touring company came here
for the first time, he got tickets for us AND all our children and spouses! There
are many other times when he has done some sweet little thing that might
not be spectacular, but it means the world to me!

Pat Cochran

Comment by Pat Cochran — May 13, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Oh my God, Kirsten…Fried Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast?

I WANT I WANT I WANT!!!

But I’m still dieting.

Comment by Leslie — May 13, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
Glad everyone had a nice MD.

We had breakfast here and then went to my daughter’s sis in law’s for a barbeque - special mother’s day since my daughter is pregnant. Our first grandchild.

And yes, I saw survivor - taped it - got home a little after 9 - watched the balance live, stopped the tape and watched it in between commercials.

I love Ozzie but cant believe how stupid he and the other guys were. Liked Amanda and was surprise to hear they are an item; Hated Natalie and did NOT want Parvati to win. I think she is a phony - when she spoke, her voice drove me nuts and it came across as being put on - a contrived way of speaking and like I said - think she is a phony.

Comment by Pat L. — May 13, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
When I had my hysterectomy, my husband sat by my side in the hospital and never left for any reason. Three days ! I had to force him to even go to the vending machine. But every time I opened my eyes, whether in pain, or in a haze of pain killers, there he was. I always felt safe, loved and cared for. I have never forgotten that, and I never will.

Comment by Ellen Lopes — May 15, 2008 @ 12:16 am
Loved reading these–lol Cas and Ellen!

Comment by Leslie — May 15, 2008 @ 6:34 am
It sounds like your husband was very thoughtful of you, I think that was so sweet. Some of us have self centered husbands I am in the front line with this! My husband slept on the couch all day and did not remind our girls it was Mother’s Day to make me a card. When i ask him why he didn’t say anything to our girls he commented that i wasn’t his mother. I’m the same woman that gave up my career for him to further his and became a stay at home mom and i can honestly say i do for everyone in my family and was probably the most hurt not to be appreciated this day i only wanted someone to say thanks for giving up everything you wanted for us. Let’s face it being a stay at home mom doesn’t pay well so all there is to gain is appreciation for what you do. When my kids get older they’ll see what i done was for our family and appreciate me then however father’s day is coming up and i’ll be sure to return the un-thoughtfullness that was givin to me. Thanks for letting me vent.

Comment by Lori Barnes — May 15, 2008 @ 7:14 am