claiming ‘the husband’ title is easy, but living up to it is a different ball game.
Responsibility & Romance: The Journey of a Husband
I’m married to an amazing woman, so being a husband is fun, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
In the early stages of our relationship, we focused on enjoying things together, but as it evolved, the focus shifted to building things together – a future, home, and family. Being a husband is the transition from someone who only provides enjoyment to someone who provides confidence, direction, and security. You don’t walk into the husband role with the same shoes you stepped into the boyfriend one. The boyfriend/fiancé role is lightweight – I could rep those without even warming up. The husband's role is straps tight - belt on -personal best hitting-heavy; it can cause injuries if not handled carefully. You must come to the heavy lifting with knowledge, practice, and technique. You will learn a lot on the job, but being a husband ain’t strolling up to the interview unprepared and winging it.
Nowadays, the internet is wyling 24/7. I’m only ever a few tweets away from Twitter trying to cancel me, but it’s almost taboo to say that as a husband, you are the leader, provider, and protector of your family. Accepting the husband role means honouring your commitments, accepting responsibility, and picking up your slack. Both parties enter the marriage, but someone is the designated driver. This doesn’t mean these roles are exclusive to you, sometimes my wife steers, but I don’t have the luxury of owning the passenger's seat.
The way society is structured, men are always playing catch-up regarding sacrifice, especially in relationships. Even mother nature has dictated the terms and conditions; think about childbirth; labour is a near-death experience, and don’t let anyone else convince you otherwise. At times it’s almost impossible to balance the scales, so what else could I do but learn to be a compass for the household and an anchor for our family? Not everyone likes to have the ball in the clutch, but a husband doesn’t get the option of watching from the courtside when the game is on the line. You can pass the rock when the situation requires it, but when it comes down to the wire, you better get your Air Jordans on.
Despite my never-ending sports analogies, being a husband is not a game, young Gs.
Ultimately, a man can only do so much. In the end, God provides. Claiming ‘the husband’ title is easy, but living up to it is a different ball game. Although you start a marriage by getting down on one knee, you continue by carrying it on your shoulders.