A woman decides to ask her husband out on a date to reignite the fire of their love.
He refuses and confesses that he is ashamed of her – only to later learn an important lesson from one of his best friends.
Jack and Mary had been married for 23 years and had four children, to whom Mary gave constant attention.
Their lives had become routine – something that no longer caused excitement in their marriage.
Their daily routines were different.
Jack would come home from work, lie down on the couch and watch TV until it was time for dinner.
Meanwhile, Mary worked all day: cooking dinner, washing everyone’s clothes, taking care of the youngest child, and helping others with their homework.
When Mary finally had time to herself late at night, she would watch romantic films and imagine that she herself was the main character, not the woman in the film.
She had been wanting to go on a date for a long time, since she and her husband hadn’t had anything like this in a long time.
But when Mary looked in the mirror, she felt sad.
She didn’t look at all like the women in the films.
When she looked at her wedding picture, she could hardly believe her eyes.
Instead of the happy young woman she had once been, she was now greeted by a tired and sad woman.
But she pushed those thoughts away and decided to change her reality.
The next day, when Jack returned from work, she sat down with him at the dinner table.
‘Jack, I was thinking… Maybe we should go out again.
There’s a nice new cafe in the centre of town. Maybe we should visit it.’ she suggested.
Jack laughed derisively and was surprised that Mary had taken the initiative at all.
‘A date? Why do we have to go on a date? Is today some special day or something?’ he asked.
Mary shook her head.
‘Well, we don’t have to wait for a special day to go out…..
We can make any day special,’ she said with a friendly smile.
But instead of being happy about Mary’s suggestion, Jack only got angry.
‘Look at you!’ he shouted at her.
‘You look awful. I’m not going anywhere with you.’
Mary was offended by his harsh words, especially because she looked like that because she had just cleaned the house.
‘I just did all the housework, that’s why I look like this,’ she defended herself.
‘Don’t be silly. You look like that every day. You used to take care of yourself – do your hair, dress nice.
Now you look like an old woman. I don’t know when you got yourself so neglected,’ Jack said.
Mary’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Even when you cry, you look awful. Do you want to know the truth?
I’m ashamed of you. I can’t take you on a date,’ Jack said before walking out the door.
Jack went to his friend Samuel and asked if he wanted to go out for a beer with him at the bar.
But Samuel immediately said no.
‘Sorry mate. I’ve got a date with my wife tonight. I want to take her to a new cafe in the city centre.’
Jack felt offended that his friend had chosen to go with his wife rather than with him to the bar.
Then he saw Samuel coming up the stairs.
His wife looked stunning in her dress and her face lit up with a smile as she held a bouquet of flowers.
‘Sam, I just found this bouquet on our table.
Did you put it there?’ – She asked and kissed him on the cheek.
‘Yes, it’s a surprise! And that’s not all…’ – he said and pulled a gift box from behind the door.
His wife opened the box and inside lay a gorgeous evening gown.
‘Oh, Sam. It’s amazing! You’re the best husband ever!
I’ll quickly change and put this dress on for our date,’ she said excitedly and hurried upstairs.
Jack was shocked at what he had just seen.
‘Sam, your wife is just beautiful and you both look so in love!
My wife always looks sad. She hardly ever smiles lately,’ he said.
‘When was the last time you asked Mary if she wanted to go out with you?’ – Sam asked his friend.
‘I can’t remember… Maybe two years ago?’ – Jack replied.
‘You asked her two years ago, and now you’re complaining that she doesn’t smile?!’ – Sam said and playfully patted his friend on the shoulder.
Sam shook his head and decided to give Jack some valuable advice.
‘You know, my friend, I make every day special for my wife. She is the light in our home.
She deserves all my love and respect. She’s always been beautiful, but every day she makes an effort to look even more beautiful-because she feels loved.’
Jack stood silent and absorbed Sam’s words.
It became clear to him that he had a responsibility to his wife that he had not fulfilled until now.
‘When I take my wife on a date, I don’t do it because it’s a special occasion. I do it because I choose to make every day special.
Try it too, my friend. It could do wonders for your marriage,’ Sam suggested.
Jack nodded and realised that what Sam had said was exactly what Mary had been trying to tell him earlier.
‘Thank you, Sam. Well, have a good date tonight. I’m going home now.’
When Jack got home he had a present for Mary.
‘I’m sorry I hurt you with my words tonight.
I was disrespectful and you didn’t deserve it,’ he said and handed her the gift box.
‘Do you want to go out with me tomorrow? I’ve made reservations at this beautiful restaurant downtown…’
Mary looked at Jack in surprise.
She was happy and gave him the same radiant smiling face she used to show him every day.
She opened the box and discovered a gorgeous silver chain.
‘It’s so beautiful, Jack. Thank you. I’d love to go out with you tomorrow,’ she replied.
The next day, Jack watched Mary transform right before his eyes.
She looked dazzling, and he remembered that he had the most beautiful wife in the world. He was happy, and so was she.
From that day on, both Mary and Jack decided to work on their relationship.
They reignited the flame between them and it not only affected them but also their family life.
What can we learn from this story?
You don’t need a special occasion to celebrate. You can make every day special.
Jack originally thought that dates should only be celebrated on special occasions.
His good friend Sam made him realise that every day can be memorable – it’s all up to him to make it so.
Show your loved ones every day your love, support and appreciation.
Often we don’t notice the small gestures that our loved ones do for us every day.
It’s important to pay attention to them and show your appreciation so that the love in our home can continue to flourish.
Share this story with your loved ones. It may inspire them and make their day better.
