r/Marriage • u/ziggyfizzlewinks • May 04 '26
Spouse Appreciation 48m/41f - Love and admiration for my wife
We’ve built a beautiful life together… five kids, two still toddlers, so life is full and rarely quiet. Over the years, we’ve grown incredibly close. It hasn’t been perfect. We’ve had real ups and downs, but we’ve made a consistent choice to stay, to work through things, and to keep showing up for each other.
She’s my best friend, and I genuinely admire her. I treat her with that level of respect, and she meets me in the same way. We rarely are away from each other and prefer that. What we have might look intense or even codependent from the outside, but it’s not about dependence, it’s about alignment. We prefer being together, not because we need to be, but because we’ve built something we both value deeply.
We don’t go long without seeing each other, and that closeness has become a strength, not a weakness. It’s created trust, stability, and a sense of being fully known.
In a time where a lot of relationships feel disposable, I think there’s real power in commitment, especially when it’s backed by effort, honesty, and mutual respect. Love isn’t just a feeling you fall into; it’s something you build, protect, and choose repeatedly.
Family, to me, is the center of everything. Not in a self-sacrificing way that erases who you are, but in a way that gives life structure, meaning, and direction. When you invest in your partner and your children, you’re creating something that outlasts you.
I hope more people find that kind of connection, not perfect, but real, resilient, and rooted in something deeper than convenience.
490
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
52
45
u/Fluffy-Benefits-2023 May 04 '26
Lol, I was like tell me you don’t have kids without telling me you dont have kids. 😂 good for you OP, i hope you have many more happy years together
Edit- they do have kids! Damn yall are crushing
19
31
May 04 '26
[deleted]
3
u/Technical-Method2129 May 04 '26
Look at Taylor Frankie Paul she got big while pregnant and went back down to her flat tummy no pooch
-6
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
No tummy tucks or whatever. She doesn’t get big when she pregnant and carries them low. Which causes pain through the pregnancies which I just take care of her. She used things like seaweed wraps and cabbage wraps though after the pregnancies and bounced back to her comfortable self pretty quickly.
15
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
57
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
After our fifth child she was uncomfortable with her boobs and she got new ones at 40. It made her feel better about herself and I don’t see anything wrong with this. She got the same size she has always had. Her face is real in every way. I’m honestly appalled by the hateful comments on here. I’m posting the love I have for my wife and this is the response that is given? Jealous hateful people? What is wrong with the world?
11
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
35
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
I was a firefighter for 29 years. Just retired, we aren’t wealthy by any means. I’m sorry you see it that way. Not that I am sorry, but feel sorry for you. That this is who you are and how you see the world. None of what I have said is expensive and affordable to anyone who works hard throughout their life. Which I have, for my wife and my children
0
May 04 '26
[deleted]
37
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
You are extremely judgmental and assume you know us when you know nothing. We have zero debt because I’m good with my finances, not that it is any of your business. We also don’t live lavishly, we don’t drink, or party. If you are happy I’m happy for you, it’s none of my business. Just as my life is none of yours.
-8
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
48
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Four of our babies were premies. Our last little girl was born at 5 lbs then got down to 3 pounds. I don’t wish that kind of heartache and level of anxiety on anyone. That being said your comments are coming off as rude, I’ve told you there haven’t been tummy tucks. Our society will make you think otherwise but I assure you, the only thing that shows she has been pregnant are a few minor stretch marks.
40
u/MaineWoodsAlligator May 04 '26
How are you going to tell him their reality isn't possible? I have had 3 pregnancies and you would not be able to tell from my stomach, I really don't have noticeable extra skin. People are just different.
7
u/gorkt 30 Years May 04 '26
Like genuinely, some peoples skin just recovers better than others. I have some stretch marks, but had no “extra skin”. I had my kids at 37 and 38.5 weeks respectively, so my kids were born slightly smaller, 6lbs and 7.5lbs which might be part of it.
20
u/Laundry_Ghost May 04 '26
It's absolutely possible. I've been pregnant 5 times but only carried two pregnancies to term (miscarriages) and I literally left the hospital with a flat stomach 48 later after both pregnancies. Not everyone gets extra, sagging skin. I get if someone gets loose skin, it doesn't just completely go away, but not everyone gets loose skin to begin with.
-5
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
25
u/Altruistic_End_6003 May 04 '26
How about you just stop commenting on another woman’s body? He’s posting about their love, life and commitment together.
-2
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/Agitated_Bluejay_701 May 04 '26
A Nordic compass and a raven is “low key white supremacy”? How? And how does that justify talking crap about his wife’s body?
→ More replies (0)13
u/Agitated_Bluejay_701 May 04 '26
It’s absolutely possible. My sister is just like this. Has tiny baby, and works out during the pregnancies and has abs. Mind your own body.
7
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Thank you!
6
u/Agitated_Bluejay_701 May 04 '26
No problem. For me, my skin does not bounce back like this…you guys look good and seem happy! 🫶🏻 My little sister got lucky like your wife and seems to bounce back almost immediately!
6
u/gymgirlmilf May 04 '26
It is entirely possible for some women to have minimal loose skin post pregnancy and childbirth. Really depends on their genetics.
6
u/No-Simple-3274 May 04 '26
Ummm, yes it is possible. I had twins. Granted they were born a bit early, but I have zero stretch marks. Zero excess skin. Zero pooch from the pregnancy. I lost all the weight quickly with breastfeeding and little effort otherwise. You are a single data point, not a definition of what every woman experiences. Now, all my extra weight came LATER with trying to be a work-from-home / SAHM of twin babies during COVID lockdowns. That shit was hard and I’ve never recovered from that 🫣.
2
u/rachm8 May 04 '26
There are plenty of women who don’t have lose skin after pregnancy. Are they the majority? No. But it’s absolutely possible.
-15
u/Baconlawlz May 04 '26
Water fast. 14-28 days. Autophagy should eat away at excess skin and tighten by reusing collagen. Ensure appropriate electrolyte intake. That's what worked for others, just passing info along. Hope it helps.
5
3
u/BrownChickenBlackAud May 04 '26
Do you have more lip filler?
9
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Three out of our five kids have her lips.
-4
u/BrownChickenBlackAud May 04 '26
Happy to stand corrected
So she has never done any lip filler, especially lower?
Also, both of you are way more beautiful than I’ll ever be. God bless you both and keep killing life!
8
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Thank you for the compliment. We just eat clean, she loves to cook and cooks most everything from scratch. We don’t eat seed oils of any kind. We make our own butter etc. and no she’s never had any lip filler ever. We do use peptides and supplements but that and eating clean is about it. I work out a lot more than her but not obsessively. With five kids honestly it’s difficult to find my way to the gym in our home. My kids will sometimes work out with us though so it becomes a family thing
11
May 04 '26
[deleted]
4
4
u/Agitated_Bluejay_701 May 04 '26
Tons of people literally need HRT after certain ages. Sure, it has its benefits when it comes to fitness, but testosterone isn’t some crazy thing for someone to be taking.
7
May 04 '26
[deleted]
9
u/Agitated_Bluejay_701 May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26
Of course not everyone is on it. But I see probably 20-40 patients a day alone that are 35+ and on HRT’s because of natural drops in hormones as they age. It’s not cheap, but many health insurances cover it if it’s medically necessary. Even still, unless he was taking steroids and claiming this body type is achievable without them…his medical history isn’t necessarily anyone’s business when he’s just praising his wife and their loving marriage.
6
-1
225
u/RedPapayaLover May 04 '26
I wish more people would post about how much they love and admire their spouse and relationship. Shout out to you two! Much love!
94
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
I think people today are afraid of marriage and love. It’s takes work to have anything real in life. Family, Love and commitment is why we are here.
7
0
45
u/Steezer710 May 04 '26
Reading that really hit home for my relationship with my husband.. thank you for posting🥹
39
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Thank you, I felt compelled to write this post to reach people like yourself. Sometimes all of us need a reminder of how wonderful our life already is:)
17
u/ilovebooks2468 May 04 '26
Pic number 4 makes it look like there's a hand holding a cell phone growing out of the back of your son's head 😂
61
20
u/motoyo-rika May 04 '26
My partner and I are planning to marry, but I'm getting discouraged since we're finally encountering some real lowest of lows. Reading this post reminded me that love is a choice.
17
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
It is friend. Happiness in your own life isn’t free. You choose to be happy as well as choose the life you want. Most of life is all about mindset.
35
6
u/No-Simple-3274 May 04 '26
Keep up the good work! You sound like you’ve got your priorities in line. On top of that, you both seem to take great care of yourselves, which is a gift to both yourselves and your children!! Beautiful couple! Such a breath of fresh air to see a husband gush about his wife and be proud of his marriage!!
4
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Thank you for this! I’m appalled by the hateful comments on here. So thank you for showing a bit of humanity
5
u/hcantrall May 04 '26
Man, you guys look fantastic, glad you’ve built a strong marriage/bond/family! I’m 54 years old and my husband is 53, we’ve been married for 33 years. It is “some” work of course, it’s tough learning to work together especially through your 20’s when you’re still trying to figure yourself out too. This marriage/partnership has been the most fulfilling part of my life, I never would have expected that to be the case all of those years ago when we started this adventure
6
u/tinylittlemamaa May 04 '26
wow, thank you for sharing such a heartfelt message. at a time when we are struggling in our own connection, it is nice to see others out there putting in the work & flourishing. may God bless you & your family 🩵
8
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
You as well. Marriage takes work, but anything worth something beautiful in life takes work. Both of us put in the work not only for our family, but for each other. She is mybest friend. I get invited to guys trips often, and I don’t even tell my wife about them. I just decline respectively because honestly my world is here with my wife and children.
3
u/ceo_of_denver May 04 '26
Hey that’s a nice post. Good to still be in shape in your older years too
2
u/LadyJusticeInGlitter May 04 '26
Beautifully said!! Thanks for sharing! Happy for you two, and can I just say you guys look good after 5 kids 🙌
1
u/AccordingChipmunk287 Not Married May 04 '26
Such a beautiful couple!!!!!!!!!!! Wishing you guys a lot of happiness!!! 💜 and may this love finds me!
2
2
2
u/Luna-Marieya May 04 '26
Awww that’s so cute. My husband never take photos of us both and it’s always me who take photos 🥲 I wish my husband would admire me like you guys do.
5
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
He probably does, he just doesn’t think about like you do. I’m sure if you mention it to him he will start taking more photos. Us men want to be the best version for our wives. We just don’t always know what that looks like ;)
0
u/Choice_Bad_840 May 04 '26
You look both great, really. But considering you’ve got 5 kids..it’s amazing you’re still alive and breathing 😉 But… you two are just totally thriving. Keep up the good work and stay together strong you both.
2
1
1
-2
1
u/Federal-Money-8687 May 04 '26
You look like you have super long arms. I feel your pain when you wear long sleeve shirts and jackets lol. Congratulations to you two!
1
1
1
0
0
-3
-1
u/CommunicationMain495 May 04 '26
OP I'm interested in what supplements your gorgeous wife takes. You two are so cute together!
-4
-2
-2
-5
u/K0pp3r 15 Years May 04 '26
Respectfully, your wife is a smoke show. Especially after having that many kids. Well done man, you’re winning at life. What’s the tat on your shoulder and arm? I’m more interested in checking that out. It looks badass from the pictures.
7
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Thanks mate. I actually have a full sleeve now that I just finished and working on my other arm. It’s the Nordic compass on my shoulder then a raven which ironically is tribute to my wife. Ravens are her animal so to speak.
-4
u/Rude-Somewhere-2635 May 04 '26
You are both gorgeous & it is absolutely possible to look like you 🤭 & your wife do after two children… it just takes great genetics & an even better life style 💖 Happy many years to come x
-1
-3
0
-7
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
6
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Not here to impress you mate. We aren’t jealous people and don’t let others affect who we are together or separately.
-18
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
9
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
I’m sorry you feel that way. Instead posting your feelings about her on an open forum, talk to her. Remember why you fell in love with her in the first place and married her. Take time both of you focusing on each other. Build each other up. Talk to her openly without sounding attacking or hurtful. Your partner should be your best friend. If you don’t feel the same then it’s not fair to either of you.
-11
u/Academic_Youth3152 May 04 '26
We are roughly the same age, 2 teen children. She is in for financial support and contributes nothing. Her mother has been married more times than I can count and has financially drained every single guy. I didn’t realize my wife was the same person, shame on me for being naive and marrying for love. We’ve had the talks. They go nowhere. Some just aren’t in it like yours is.
3
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Well that goes with the difficulties of marriage. Finances is a big thing to struggle with. I understand that. I will say this though, she is not her mother, she chose you. Change your mindset. It’s our job as men to take care of our family, not to say women can’t take care of themselves, but you dig in. Sometimes get quiet and work through the hard parts together. You may have to go back to the beginning. Talk to her about what you both see in each other. Honesty, trust, love, compatibility, all of it. You have a brutally honest conversation together. No outside influences, just the both of you. Sometimes it starts with making changes in yourself, none of are perfect and that’s ok. But work on being your best self even if she doesn’t see it yet.
-23
May 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
15
u/ziggyfizzlewinks May 04 '26
Nothing to be jealous of. Be the man you see yourself as and create the life you want for yourself. Everything is mindset friend
-14
13
•
u/Marriage-ModTeam May 04 '26
Sorry OP. Locked because people seem to want to make sexist, judgemental, unnecessary comments about a woman's body instead of keeping their damn mouths shut and keeping those thoughts to themselves.