I’ve been happily married to my retired husband, my Ultimate Concierge, for many years. Today I’m going to share some secrets to our happiness.
I am Sadie Sadie married lady. I am married to Sheldon Good, who I gave the title Ultimate Concierge because he is the ultimate husband. When we met, I was in my 40s. He was in his late 50s.
His main functions in life included doting on his work and me. My main function in life was doting on him. We shared a utopian lifestyle. Each morning, I wished him well with a kiss and similarly welcomed him home with a kiss in the early evenings. The evenings were our time and we were thrilled to spend hours talking about his busy day and sharing our thoughts.
You know the common saying, darlings, that pertains to retired husbands. For better or for worse, but not for lunch.
As women, we’re caught in the middle of a dilemma. We are darned if we do and darned if we don’t. In other words, how do we draw the line between wifely responsibility and our activities? This is a Catch-22 for many of us with retired or semi-retired husbands.
A heads up for women who will eventually face this situation: the truth of the matter is, most men need their wives after retirement 24/7.
Our Conversations Before & After My Husband’s Retirement
These days, our conversation follows a similar pattern every day. My semi-retired husband asks, “Where have you been all day? Who did you talk to today? What did you write today? Where are we going tonight?”
Previously, when he was working 60 hours a week and traveling for business, our conversation went like this. I would ask him, “How were things at the office today? How did your important meeting go today? Who did you talk to today? What business or charitable dinner commitments should I put on the calendar for the month?”
My husband, Sheldon Good, is no shrinking violet! He is still very much involved and interested in everything he touches. But not 60 hours a week! What’s a wife to do? What do you do?
The Difference Between A Retired Husband & the Woman in His Life
When our husbands or significant others were career driven, their minds were filled with how they would provide and save for their families. The wheels in their head were always turning.
When they slowed down, their minds relaxed and they suddenly found themselves with too much additional time on their hands. What do most of them want and need? Us, darlings, us!
Why do they need us? Because most men are loners. They don’t gab on the phone, send emails or texts to their grands, play cards five days a week or work out at gyms nonstop. Now they have time and want to spend it with their significant other.
Most women are so busy, they are dizzy! Age has no bearing on slowing them down. They are busy all day with family, friends, charities, home, career, hobbies — the list never ends because, darlings, women are multitaskers!
The Conversation
One day, I decided to pose two questions to my semi-retired husband over our morning cups of coffee:
- What are your three top priorities?
- Are you happy that you are semi-retired?
Without hesitating for a moment, he looked up at me and said, “My three top priorities are you, you, and you! Yes, I am happy I slowed down. I worked hard all of my life so I wouldn’t have to work all my life.”
Deeply touched by his response to my first question, I was disappointed with his answer to my second question, darlings. I wanted him to say that he missed the business world.
Ultimately, I’ve concluded with certainty that women continue to use their voice and stay active after they become empty nesters or retire from the workforce. I am sorry to say when our husbands or significant others retire, a large part of their life retires along with them because their life was oftentimes their work.
What Is A Wife Or Significant Other To Do?
I am reminded of a conversation I had with my Ultimate Concierge just last week. The phone rang in our apartment. It was Shelly.
“What are you doing right now?” he asked.
It was around four o’clock.
“I just finished brushing America and was going to sit down and reread the blog I wrote early this morning. Why? Where are you?” I questioned.
“I am in the park. Just finished my book by Daniel Silva. I would love to tell you about it. Why don’t you come down for a while so we can talk?”
Goodness, I think to myself, I don’t feel like dropping what I am doing. But instead, I say in a loving voice, “Of course, I will come down. See you in a few.”
Why did I say this? Because, darlings, I adore and respect my husband. If I had said no, we both would have been sad.
I close my laptop, secure America’s leash, and the two of us take the elevator down 71 stories and walk across the street to the park. As soon as I see my semi-retired husband, my heart melts. I sit down happily next to my smiling husband on the park bench.
Gratitude Today and Every Day
Contentment can mean loving and being loved, but it can also be loving yourself!
Remembering my feelings that day as I sat in the park with my “lonesome” husband and fun-loving pup America, I felt so grateful. My husband loves me. He is interested in me. He wants to be with me.
I sat there smiling to myself as I thought about how fortunate I am that he asks me everyday, “Where have you been all day? What did you do today? What did you write about today?”
Tomorrow, I will make him lunch because for better or for worse, it is my pleasure to make him lunch.
And, what should you do?
Prioritize, darlings, prioritize! Your most important priority, above all else, is your husband or your significant other. Whether he is a retired husband or otherwise, take care of him, darlings!
How do you have a great relationship with your retired husband? How has your relationship changed?
I’d love to hear from you! Join the conversation in the comments below.
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Hi Susan, I am busy also so I don’t comment often, but I really enjoyed this article and would have done the same thing.
I just asked my husband what his top 3?priorities were and he said me, then family, then health! You have made an amazing career for yourself! Congratulations to you ‼️👏🏼
Thank you for this terrific article! I’ve had to change the way I interact with my retired husband as well. I’m sure you’ve given many wives food for thought.
Totally agree with you on this one! I retired one year after my husband and now we spend almost all of our time together. We garden, shop, travel, go to the gym and dine out frequently. All too often we are going to doctor appointments but keeping healthy is top priority. We’ve been married 48 years, together for 50. There is nothing more important in my life. Gratitude? Yes, very much so as my sister in law struggles with her husband’s diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. We realize how lucky we are each day and know that it could all change overnight. Our new motto is Do it now! We never know what tomorrow might bring.
Beautiful post just like you are! My husband recently retired and it hasn’t hit him yet, meaning his new life reality. He has been so super busy relocating and getting our new life set up that his days are stil very full. We wil see what happens in the months ahead but your words certainly gave me food for thought. xo .
Dear Honey,
Like Shelly, my husband is somewhat retired although he is still very much involved with his own business venture. We’ve been married 54 years and continue to enjoy each other’s company. I have many social activities, children, grands and greats that keep me busy – much busier than my husband. There are so many times when he wants me to listen to a story, keep him company on an errand or simply sit with him in conversation. Unfortunately, most of the time, I’m reluctant to drop what I’m doing to join him. Your story today made me realize that I need to reset my priorities! I have an absolutely wonderful husband who treats me like a princess and who I love deeply. From now on, I have promised myself to make him my top priority. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of my husband who, after all these years, still wants to be with me more than anywhere else.
Thank you for this story, today. I knew this information, BUT, for some reason, I needed to hear this. I needed to be reminded, again. Why ? Probably because I thought I was too busy, probably because my priorities were out of line, and probably I just needed a reminder. Thank you. Your messages come along….just when I need to hear them. Patricia
I have enjoyed reading your article. Glad to say I can much relate to it .
That’s sweet! Often, it’s difficult to put away my project to attend to my SO’s request, so I know what you mean. Do I do it? Mostly! He always prioritizes me, so I try to do the same for him. It has to be a two way street. But, there are times that I just ask if we can chat in a bit, and he is very understanding. Thanks for the article!
Hi there thanks for the sound advice.
My pleasure, always! Warmly, Honey
I want your husband!
I don’t blame you!!!!! I am smiling. Loved your message. Warmly, Honey
I really look forward to your daily thoughts on life and living. The husband’s retirement hit very close to home. Like you, I love and adore my hubby. He is my number one. I am the love of his life. He was in an accident and ” priase the powers to be “, he lived, However, he is in constant pain and is unable to do few of the activities he used to enjoy. The commitment to daily gratitude lists has helped me immensely. The glass always is half full; that is my sustenance. You are a constant source of support and inspiration. We live in a remote rural area. We moved here from a large Metropolitan area. So, most of my access to friends and new ideas does not come from in-person contact. Thanks for your hard work.
Namaste,
Chris
Your life has changed. You are in a new passage and I can tell you are facing emotional difficulties. Can you do so something for yourself? Are you afraid to venture out to join a group that you would enjoy. Do you have friends, couples, to invite to dinner or brunch? Or are you content to see your glass half full as it is. I am trying to make you think ‘outside the box.’ Warmly, Honey
My husband has been retired 10 years, me for 8 months! He is 7 years older than I, but I am much younger, physically and socially. I try to be pretty active during the day, and really enjoy seeing other people and being social. He sits too much and is not especially social. I keep gently telling him “move it or lose it” and yet he prefers to sit while I go for a walk most days. I do invite him. I did persuade him to go bowling with a couple I’ve known for years and he’s just getting to know. We had a great time and plan to do this again. Hopefully he’ll see the value and we can find other things to do together. We’ve been happy but this stage is a little harder than I expected!
You are doing the right things and he seems to be responding. Do it again and then add something new. Where there is a will, there is a way. You have the will!!!! My husband and I have an age difference. I understand your feelings.Warmly, Honey
This article is an eye opener. Sharing how you met Sheldon at the park instead of saying you were too busy is something we all forget to do after so many years of marriage. Priorities get switched and not always for the better. Love you blogs!!!
Thank you, Cec. I am smiling. Warmly, Honey