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FINDING THE PERKS ELSEWHERE
I waited (and waited) for that husband who never arrived. Finally I got tired of doing without the benefits I’d been told only husbands could bring and made a list of what I was missing. My married girlfriends say I’ve imagined a dream spouse who exists only in old movies. I say it’s a good place to start. Once I identified what I wanted–sublime to ridiculous–I began to figure out where else these needs could be met.
COMPANIONSHIP
The day-to-day
Family and work events
Weddings
Vacations
Holidays
Birthdays
Meal time
Movies and Entertainment
PHYSICAL INTIMACY
Sex
Affection
Foot massage (do husbands actually do that?)
FITTING IN
With peers and colleagues
With family
In society
CHILDREN
Carrying on the genes
Bragging rights
Grandchildren
Extended family
Old age care
HEAVY LIFTING
Moving furniture
Opening jars with tight lids
Breaking up cardboard boxes for recycling
Lifting luggage into the plane’s overhead bin
JEWELRY
Surprise gifts
Fastening clasps I can’t reach
FINANCES
Home ownership
Sharing costs
Retirement
YOUR PIE CHART (Percentages may vary)
What would the perfect husband bring to your life?
1) Make a list. Be thorough.
2) Put the list into categories
3) Assign percentages
4) Slice the pie
5) Where else can you get what you’re looking for?