Typically when we are in public or are around other people I don’t refer to my wife as Stephana, which is of course her name. She has a very unique name and people mispronounce it all the time.
She rarely corrects them, so I do. You might think it helps the awkwardness of the mispronouncing her name. But nope, I’d rather not call her by her name.
Everybody calls her by her name, even those who don’t know how to say it. I prefer to call her “my wife.” Because nobody else can.
Marriage is different
The marriage relationship is supposed to be set apart. Different from every other relationship, even the relationship with our kids. So, when I say “my wife,” it is special. It shows she is special to me, and I’m special to her. I love that.
Because of our commitment to one other for life in marriage, this means no other person on the face of the earth can and will ever be able to refer to her as “my wife” or “wifey” or anything with the word “wife” in it unless they say: “Jackie’s wife.”
I know it seems like something silly, trivial, or really minor, but it’s not. It’s big to me, and I think you should take it as seriously with your wife, or your husband (to the ladies). That mindset is just the beginning of me making my wife and our marriage a priority.
Do the small things in marriage
Sometimes it’s small things like this that create the habits, attitudes, and actions that make our marriages truly special!
Here are 6 reasons you too should say “my wife” more often.
M – Marriage is your most important relationship. Treat every aspect of your marriage as it should be: a priority and set apart. As I said, I say “my wife” because it sets the relationship we have apart from every other relationship.
Y – You can. Just cause you can, and nobody else can.
W – Winning. When you find a woman to call your wife you are winning. I’ve won a ton of sports games and even some championships, but one of my biggest wins happened the day I said “I do.”
I – Included in every aspect of your life. There isn’t anything I do without considering how it will impact my wife (and my family). The Bible says “the two shall become one” (Eph. 5:31, NASB). What impacts you impacts her.
F – First lady. Just like the president’s wife is referred to as “the first lady,” your wife is your first lady. That is a regal and elegant position she holds.
E – Everybody should know she’s your wife. Other people need to know you are taken, and she is the one. One of the reasons we wear our wedding ring is because it reminds us and lets others know we are taken.
Maybe you prefer to call your wife by her name all of the time. I encourage you to start referring to her as “my wife,” and see how it lights her up, and makes you feel. But don’t stop there. Begin to treat her like she is the most special person in the world to you.
[callout]Today is day six of The 7 Rings of Marriage Summit, where “my wife” and I are sharing our conversations with 20 amazing couples whose marriages have endured and are now inspiring thousands of others. You can learn more and get FREE access to all 20 interviews here at www.7ringsofmarriage.com.[/callout]
[reminder preface=”Note: “]Today is my wife’s thirtieth…uh twenty-something birthday. So, I’m shouting ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ to her! If you’d like to join in the birthday celebration, please say Happy Birthday to her in the comments below.[/reminder]