We've all seen the posts. The sappy, romantic, love-letter-like, nearly obsessive social media posts that significant others put out there about each other. Sometimes the "Man-crush Mondays" and "Woman-crush Wednesdays" can be almost nauseating to scroll through each week, especially if that particular person seems to want to boast about their bae what seems like every day of the week.
Annoying as these over-posters may be, I have to admit... I have caught myself feeling jealous of the women whose beaus gush and ogle over them online for everyone to see. It's a strange female urge, I think, to feel adored, loved, even boasted about. As women, we can tend to be more openly self-conscious than men, feeling that we need the men in our lives to provide us with the self-confidence and self-worth we desire. I can't think of any girl who wouldn't like a boy to post a flattering selfie of her to Instagram for #wcw. It's like an insta-ego boost.
My husband and I have been together for over six years, dating back to my high school days. I can count on one hand how many times he has posted anything online that was specifically aimed to admire me as his girlfriend or wife, and I have never been anyone's #wcw.
He doesn't comment on my photos telling me how "gorgeous" or "hot" I am to him, and I don't get the "I love you too, baby's" whenever I post something admiring him. We're happily married and very much in love. So why doesn't he want to show me off to the cyber world?
Because he doesn't have to.
My husband doesn't need to tell his followers he loves me, because he just does.
So he doesn't say I'm his woman-crush Wednesday. Maybe instead, he lets me have the cinnamon roll with the most icing on it first. Or massages my back when I'm having a bad ache. Or vacuums up the dog hair so I don't have to. Or gives me a kiss on the forehead when I keep him awake with my tossing and turning at night.
He doesn't need to tell the world about his love for me, because he already does it with his actions. You know that old saying "actions speak louder than words?" It's not a saying for no reason.
I finally realized, when it comes down to it, I would much rather have a surprise hug from behind than a boastful statement made about me on Facebook. I can easily do without him sharing that "Share if your wife is a hottie!" post, when he continues to be actively faithful in our marriage day by day.
When I was able to grasp that perspective, I realized the problem with feeling social media envy is my problem, not his.
That desire to be boasted about online isn't his responsibility to satiate, because at the end of the day, it's just irrational envy. Based solely on my husband's actions in our relationship, I should feel more than secure enough in myself and how he truly feels about me, without him having to broadcast it for the world to see. He put a ring on my finger. He promised before God and our families to be the best man he can be for me. He sacrifices himself daily for this country as a U.S. Airman. What more should I feel bold enough to ask for?
So that got me thinking. All those times I sit around getting nostalgic or mushy feeling, and I have the urge to post yet another memory of us for Throwback Thursday, maybe instead I should show my love for my husband in a way that actually speaks to him. Maybe I whip up a batch of his favorite homemade cookies. Maybe I surprise him at the door after work with a big sexy make-out session. Maybe instead of posting that I'm so honored to be his wife, I actually tell him face to face.
Not only do I not need him to brag about me to others in a social media forum, he doesn't need me to either. We can find security in the daily acts of service we make for our marriage, for each other.
So when my husband inevitably shares that new Star Wars trailer for the third time this week, you won't see me complain. Because I know he would rather see it in theaters on opening night with no one more than me.
This post originally appeared on QueenLionheart.
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