It’s the Little Things

I love my car – except for one thing. The warning alarm – namely the one that sounds when you don’t yet have your seat belt on – is the most shrill and annoying sound ev-er. Oh no. She doesn’t make a pleasing tone like other American cars. She’s a 2008 Crossfire, and while her body and interior were styled by Chrysler, the rest of the car is European. And unlike American engineers, the German ones are all business. They want us to really, really hear it.

Take a quick listen.

One morning, my hubby and I were leaving for work and he had backed my car out of the garage and right up to the door for me. Yeah, he does that. Every morning. As usual, he left the key in the ignition, so when I opened the door, the alarm sounded. On this particular morning, I mentioned that I don’t like the alarm. Mind you, I didn’t say it in a complaining manner because gees, what kind of a jerk would say that to the person who brings their car to the door for them every morning? It was just a quick comment. Kiss goodbye. Some I Love Yous, and we both drive off. No biggie.

But. But. Here’s what I saw the next day when I got in the car.

No key in the ignition. No shrill alarm. And evidence of a man who listens, really listens. Even when he’s busy. Even when he’s on a schedule. When he’s in a hurry.

We are taught by watching movies and reading books that grand gestures are vital to romance. Grand gestures are…well…grand. And who doesn’t love a grand romantic gesture? They take planning and earnestness and often money—all the things that impress us. All the things that impress anyone.

But the older I get, the more I get that this is what matters. Because if he listens to me on Tuesday morning when we’re running out the door and he cares enough to add one small step to a routine that is already above and beyond, what does that say about what he’ll do when I really, really need him for something BIG? Something hard?

How could your relationship change with your partner if you really listened on the regular days and started actively searching for ways to do the little things – the things that show you can be relied upon no matter what?

Try it. Actively listen for your opportunity, and see what happens.

Here’s one I wrote about another “little thing” that’s powerful. A smoldering look. It has Shakespeare in it because I’m fancy like that.

Gaze An Eagle Blind