Real-life Romance: Don't Ask

2023 got off to a shaky start in some ways.
I caught a cold/sinus gunk shortly before Christmas and kept it all the way through. Not a fun way to celebrate the holidays. I finally started feeling better in time to start back to work. But I started back to work with two days of an online tax seminar. I went from getting up between 7:30 and 8 and lazing away at breakfast to having to be at the office by 7. Big difference.
By the end of those days, I was spent. Mentally and physically.
Imagine my joy when I walk into my house and find the ceiling fans dusted and dinner started.

And I didn't even have to ask.
That was the biggest blessing. To have that extra set of hands reach in and handle things I didn't feel like even thinking about. Just like when the laundry gets folded on days when I'm working on a deadline. Or when he steps in and deals with whatever the kids need so I can type one more paragraph.
Marriage is about being a team. Both have their "normal" tasks, but that doesn't mean they can't cross over sometimes, like when I take out the full trash bag in the kitchen or bathroom in the middle of the week. And it's appreciated by both sides.
But you know what makes it even better? Not having to ask the other person to do it.
Why?
Because it means they see you. They see what's going on and they see what you need. And they do it, because they know it makes your life easier.
​Yep. If you really want to make your spouse feel special, don't ask. Just go find something needing done and do it for her/him.