A crucial self-reflection moment came following a lengthy and fulfilling marriage when the wife asked her husband, in a straightforward but thought-provoking question, “Can you describe me after 15 years of marriage?” This seemingly innocent question was the catalyst for a pivotal insight that would change their relationship.

At his wife’s request, the husband stood back to consider what made his partner special. He started to mentally go back through the years they had spent together, remembering the treasured moments that had woven his marriage’s fabric, as well as the tears, laughter, and shared dreams. He considered her advantages, her peculiarities, her eccentricities, and the characteristics that made her special.

He started to describe how he felt about her as he stared into her eyes. He referred to her as their relationship’s rock, the one who stood by them no matter what life threw at them. He commended her for her steadfast kindness and her capacity to see the good in everything, even in the face of adversity. He talked about her humor, her tenacity, and how she made their house feel like a home. He described how she had changed and evolved into a new person over the years.

His statements were a sincere declaration of their close bond rather than just a list of their physical characteristics. They served as a symbol of the respect that had developed between them, the love that had gotten stronger with time, and the understanding that had formed.

Their emotional connection was strengthened and their deep love was recalled by this straightforward self-expression practice. It was a moment of affirmation—that love was about understanding, valuing, and cherishing a person’s spirit rather than just their external look.

They understood at that very moment that their love went beyond appearances and was based on a solid foundation of shared experiences, steadfast support, and a sincere admiration for each other’s inner beauty. And while they clung to one another, they knew that their love would endure because they understood that each other was more than simply the surface; it was a part of their souls.