Dear husband,

I see you. 

I see the look in your eyes when you come home and there is a pile of dishes and an even bigger pile of laundry. I see the frustration in your face when you struggle to find the undershirt or the dress pants in the mess that is our bedroom. I see the annoyance, no matter how slight, when you have no place to put your things because the kitchen table is full.

I see you exhale and shut your eyes when you finally make it home and you’re able to hug our kids for a few seconds. I see the pain in your texts when you tell me you have to work a holiday, a weekend, a late night. I see the glint of wistfulness when the kids reach for me instead of you. I see the twinkle in your eye when you make them laugh.

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I see the wrinkles on your forehead when you’re focusing on your never-ending to-do list. I see the stress in your eyes when you think about all the work that needs to be done.

I see the worry on your face when you look at the clock or a calendar and realize time is ticking by. 

I see your dismay that we are over budget again. I see your exhaustion when we sit to do the budget. I see your fear when things aren’t adding up.

I see the way you look at me like nothing else matters. I see the way you protect me from seeing how you feel. I see the love in your eyes when you take one for the team. 

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I see you. I see your fears and struggles and worries, and I know I’m not helping. I see your anxiety, and I know I’m making it worse. I see your stress, and I know where it comes from.

Let me in. Let me help. I see you.

Know that I don’t want to make your life harder. Know that I am trying to help you. Know that I am not perfect, but I imperfectly love you more than I love myself. Know that I would do anything if you needed me to do it.

Know that I love you. So much. And I appreciate your sacrifices for our family. I just wish I could give you at least some of what you give to me. 

Let me be your partner. 

Love always,
Your wife