Column: 10 things wives need from husbands

Several years ago Colleen Sonderman, wife of No Regrets conference founder Steve Sonderman, gave a presentation on the top 10 things wives need from their husbands. These are not in priority order.

1. Listen to her with eye contact and engagement. Communicate in a safe place and remember, you don’t have to fix her problems.

2. Talk to her. Tell her what is going on inside of you. Tell your wife your feelings, your fears and your failures. Be courageous.

3. Study her and learn the language she speaks.

4. Encourage her every day. Be your wife’s greatest cheerleader.

5. Prioritize her. Your wife needs to know that she is more important than your job, your hobby, sports and other guys. Where do your passions lie?

6. Care for her. Ask her what you can do to care for and nurture her. Help her care for the kids and grandkids.

7. Prepare her for your physical relationship. For women it is not the end but the process of getting there.

8. Be a leader and let her be a leader. Think of it as servant leadership. Share this responsibility.

9. Free her. Women need to have relationships with other women. Show you recognize and accept this need.

10. Date her. Go out on a regular basis. Get away from the house together. Hang out with each other.

Advice from a marriage counselor: Women are not men. Men are not women. Celebrate the differences, and renew your wedding promise every day.

Inspired by Ron Price The Four Corners Coalition for Marriage and Family