Don’t tell me “I love you,” but…

Don’t tell me “I love you,” but…

Let’s face the truth: us men definitely enjoy attention. Let’s accept that the smell of freshly brewed coffee pleases us more than a Nuggets win in the NBA. Let’s admit that we too love receiving New Year’s gifts and that anniversaries unfairly come with a bouquet and a jewelry box, while we leave with a hug and her big smile.

When it comes to showing love, for a 45-year-old man and a 25-year-old, it definitely looks different. At 25, I was overjoyed when my girlfriend at the time would place her hand over my knee at the club, marking me as hers. I don’t judge that as wrong, but rather appropriate for those years. Now, in a serious relationship at 45, I realize that it’s no longer enough to be marked by a hand over my knee. I know that the chicken soup I had last month was more valuable than a “Breitling shark” when I was shaking with fever.

The pace we live at leaves its mark on the body, health, and energy. Having a responsible position at a serious corporation doesn’t allow for shaky knees. It doesn’t allow for a weakened immune system, fatigue, bad moods, or drowsiness during briefings and so on.

Finally, I can say that I’ve prioritized life’s tasks. It took time, experience, and a lot of wisdom. It required controlling my bursts of anger and turning them into productivity. A lot of this was aided by an unsuccessful marriage, dizzying career success, extensive travel, training, and most importantly, the years.

My daily routine starts with a good meal and a solid workout, giving me a serious challenge because there’s no room for slack. Never enough carbs, vitamins, complexes, powders, who knows what kind of supplements that boost the mind and body. I don’t even remember when I took what, what I drank, and what I mixed… Total chaos.

Anniversaries? I don’t remember them…

I’m not a member of the romantic men’s club that loves clichés like “candlelit dinners.” I prefer that sincerity speaks through small gestures of attention. I’ve gone through a marriage, albeit a short one, where love came down to Instagram-worthy dates and pre-ordered gifts for important dates.

Once bitten, twice shy… I know what to expect in my mature years. It’s not a problem to buy a gift—I do it with pleasure—but when it comes to gender equality, I expect at least a small sign that the other person cares about me just as much.

A year ago, after a particularly tough quarter—good results, of course—I started noticing that I was lacking energy. My hair was thinning, workouts were getting tougher. My partner Mina and I celebrated an important date, and somehow a “memories” reminder popped up on social media. I didn’t announce the trip, gifts, or dinners pompously; instead, I spontaneously organized a little getaway for two days in a cabin. I thought we’d enjoy a private celebration, just the two of us, a cabin on Kosmaj and a jacuzzi. I told myself, “Let me see if this is real and genuine, so I know where I stand.”

No big gift, no “botanical garden” in my hands for the perfect IG photo. The vibe was great—music in the car, beautiful weather, everything was perfect. We arrived at the cabin in the evening, and I took out a bag from the trunk with a few things from the store, and she smiled. I saw no disappointment. It started off well, I thought. I asked her if she knew why we were there, and she shyly smiled and didn’t want to give it away. It was all sweet, but let’s see how it goes.

We prepared dinner together, ate, enjoyed a drink and some music, when suddenly, Mina walked out of the room. She came back with a little bag. I was honestly confused, without a prepared gift, and she had a bag. She pulled out a gift— a money clip in a plush box and a box of pills. I was stunned, but so much that I couldn’t hide it. Her comment was worth more than anything in the world: “I see you’ve been exhausted lately, and it bothers me. I want you to be healthy, happy, and energetic because only then are you good for yourself and for those who love you. I’ll help with that too,” she said, “not just supplements.” What a gesture! That’s it. I understood there was no mistake and that I was on the right track. How could I not love her? Someone who cares about you and puts you first. That’s my Mina. She puts you before what others might say about us, before how everything will look on social media, and before whether I’ve satisfied her ego.

The Routine I Look Forward To

Time hasn’t passed me by. I’m not yet past my prime, as they say. I’ve simply put some things in my life in the right order. My workouts are now much better quality, I’m calmer, and more productive in every sense of the word. I handle work really well and am eager for challenges. I have patience for Mina, for the little things that matter to her. I notice the attention she gives me and don’t resist it. Because, let’s be honest, every one of us enjoys attention, a smile, and a kind word when I’m off to work with her asking, “Did you take your vitamins this morning?”

She says she’s done some research online and found Oligovit HIS, a supplement specifically for men that’s also beneficial for sexual health. And then with a smile, she winks and says, “We’ll need you to stay this good for a long time.” Instead of “I love you,” let her take care of me this way. That’s worth more than a thousand words.

 

 


Share:
824 PREGLEDA