not intentionally embarrass you in private or in public
do all he or she can to avoid scornful comments, hurtful humor, and sarcasm
listen attentively to you even if he/she has heard what you are saying many times
stand up for you when you are right
stand up to you when you are not right
refuse to be a pushover
not offer you blind or unquestioned support. He or she knows that unquestioned support is a form of idiocy and no indication of love. Love invites questioning and dialogue
be unafraid to ask you tough questions
not try to cut you off from your community of family and friends
not tell you how to dress, speak, think, or feel
give you regular, uninterrupted, opportunities for eye-to-eye contact so you have time to each reflect upon your lives. This is time without phones, television, radio, music, pagers, computers, or children invading the holy territory between you
regard both your unshared and your shared private lives with absolute respect
expect and encourage you to have a life outside of the life you share.
Leave a Reply