These Three Words

In his 1991 soundtrack to the movie Jungle Fever, Stevie Wonder delivers a beautiful song titled These Three Words. The song gently reminds us of the importance of not holding back our feelings, especially in those closest relationships. Reflecting on this, we began to wonder: How intentional are married couples when it comes to expressing how they truly feel about one another? So, we reached out to a group of wives and asked them to share how their husbands make them feel. From their responses, we created a word cloud that beautifully illustrates the emotions these women experience daily. Among those words, three stood out most powerfully: Cherished, Safe, and the # 1 expression Loved. Let's take a moment to explore these three words and the deep, tender meanings they hold in the heart of marriage.

Cherished

To be cherished is to be held dear with deep tenderness and admiration. We often liken this to placing our wives on a pedestal. In many ways it's the little things: opening the car door, saving the last piece of dessert, or a compliment about something she never thought you'd notice (like how great her nails look after a mani/pedi). To cherish your wife creates a special kind of intimacy and tenderness that only the two of you can share. It's about making her feel seen, appreciated, and adored.

Safe

One of the more common themes we hear from wives is that they are seeking to feel safe in their marriages. Often when we think about safety we think about physical safety, but safety in marriage goes far beyond physical protection. One of the most important ways in which a husband can make a wife feel safe is "emotional safety." Creating a safe space where your spouse feels free to be vulnerable without fear of retribution for her feelings. Responding gently, even when we disagree or find ourselves holding a Holy (or not so Holy) Huddle with each other. A husband who makes his wife feel safe is a protector of her spirit, a steady presence she can lean on no matter what. Emotional safety nurtures trust and opens the door for deeper connection and honesty—a cornerstone of lasting love.

Loved

It should be no surprise that the most common feeling mentioned was the feeling of being Loved. There are many ways to make your spouse feel loved. It begins with realizing that love is a verb, it's an action.. Love Is A Choice. Love is waking up each day and choosing to demonstrate care, kindness, and affection—even on the difficult days, days when we may not feel very loving. But the most obvious and important ways to demonstrate love is to simply say it! And that takes us back to Stevie Wonder and his song: These Three Words. As Stevie's song reminds us, these three words are "sweet and simple, short and kind," yet they carry immense power. Speak love into your marriage regularly, so your partner never doubts the depth of your heart.

Beyond The Three Words

In addition to Cherished, Safe, and Loved, many wives shared other expressions that describe how their husbands make them feel:

Protector

Caring

Needed

Wanted

Understood

Appreciated

How does your spouse make you feel?

So, we ask you: How does your spouse make you feel? And just as importantly, how do you show them that they are cherished, safe, and loved every single day? Remember, love is not just a feeling to hold inside—it's a gift to be shared generously. Let's embrace the spirit of Stevie Wonder's song and never let the opportunity pass to say those three simple, life-changing words: "I LOVE YOU"