After my husband and I got married, our first fight was very memorable. I had never really cooked before and was nervously squeezing a chicken breast in my newly bought George Foreman grill. My husband bounded into our small apartment and said, "Can I invite our neighbor over for dinner? He's moving and could really use the break." I told him no because we didn't have enough chicken.
About 10 minutes later, he said with a smile, "Walter's coming over in 5 minutes." I was seething but very pleasant to Walter when he arrived at our door. Needless to say, my piece of chicken was tiny. After our guest left, the kitchen cabinets started slamming! My husband pounced on me like Tigger, pinning me to the floor. He looked in my eyes and said "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." He was grinning way too much to be truly repentant. THAT was not the way to apologize to a wife.
The good thing is that he apologized right away. The bad thing is that he was just sorry that he made me mad; not truly sorry that he had gone against my wishes for a dinner guest.
So husbands, here is how you apologize to your wife with class and creativity:
1. Go to the store and buy a pretty pair of shoes for your wife. Not sure of her size? Look in her closet. Not sure of her taste? No problem, just attach the receipt to the shoes. She can always return or exchange them.
2. Wrap the box up in pretty paper. Just make sure the paper doesn't say "Happy Birthday" all over it.
3. Insert a note in the gift that says something like, "I took a few moments to try to walk in your shoes. I see that I was really a heel. I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings and didn't see the situation from your perspective. Will you forgive me?"
4. Get on one knee and touch her feet with your hands. Tell her you will try to walk in her shoes in the future. Say how much you love her and how you can't stand it when anything pulls you apart.
5. Be sincere and be specific. Only say things you really mean with all your heart, and be as specific about the offense and what you would do differently next time.
If you are genuinely sorry, your wife would be a fool not to forgive you on the spot and give you a big kiss for your thoughtful apology!
