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This year I have only three goals. One of them is to be there for my wife as she pursues her dreams. She has recently had a renaissance in her life and has expressed to me her desire to accomplish certain things. It is easy, when someone reveals their Big Dream, to express dismay and doubt that someone can accomplish something that big.

I think that the way that I can show her I love her is by being there for her, encouraging her every step of the way. I can’t do these things for her, or even really give advice on how it’s done. Instead, I must resolve myself to always be positive, never doubt her.

While the physical resources that I can provide her are limited, I will do what I can in that area.

The emotional resources, however, I can provide far more of. I can pick her up when she’s down. I can be excited and enthusiastic when she shares her successes. I can listen, refrain from giving advice, and offer a shoulder to cry on when she shares her failures. While I can’t make all the hurt go away, I can certainly be her safe place to land. I can make sure I never hurt her more than the world will already hurt her.

Very few women are as spiritually and emotionally strong as my wife. Her strength has been forged through years of trial more difficult than most people can imagine. I can give her this gift in the New Year - I will be there for her.

Yesterday Lissie and I spent the afternoon talking about our future.  What are our marriage goals?  What do we want to do over the next few years.  It’s fun to sit and have these kinds of discussions.  Some of the things that we’ve got going on in the near future:

• Attending an adoption workshop.  We want to adopt.  They want to teach.  Seems like a good fit.
• More medical testing.  For her, not me.  That ‘ole heart issue doesn’t go away, and the doctor thinks that the tilt test will be helpful.  My wife has her doubts.
• Starting a business?  Who knew that this website could launch a business?  Stay tuned for details on that.

Anyway, you know the drill:

1. Decide what romantic thing you’re going to do for your spouse this week. Could be anything. From as simple as giving a foot rub to planning a romantic date, to planning a romantic vacation, the idea is for you to do something.

2. Let us know what you’re going to plan by leaving a comment below. If you want it to be a surprise, then just give a general idea (I’m planning a date), or, if it will help you get rolling, leave as much detail as you want to.

3. Let us know what will motivate you to make sure it happens. Plan a reward for yourself, or plan consequences if you fail, but make sure that it happens! My goal as A Good Husband is to help inspire all the guys out there to go the extra mile, and, even more so, to make sure that I go the extra mile. I want my wife to know that she is incredibly special, and this is a great way for me to do that.

This week I’m going to use one of those things that I learned from Dr. Phil’s book: asking the question, “What can I do to show you I love you?”  We all know that it’s a little difficult to always know what our wives want, and Dr. Phil (whether you are a fan or not) hits upon a good suggestion here.  Sometimes your wife has a specific need and asking her what it is can be the perfect way to show her you care.

If I don’t do this by the end of the day today, I will buy her a dozen roses.  I’d rather save the money, but the gesture never hurts…right?

Ladies, do your husbands a favor and let them know what they can do to help you feel loved this week.

Guys, what are you going to do for your wives this week?