This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
As I sat in my friend's house, watching her expertly set the table for dinner, I couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy. Her husband's meal was kept hot in serving pots, with table mats laid out in perfect alignment. It was a far cry from my own serving style, which involved plopping his food down on a plate and telling him to clear the table before I put the food on it.
My friend's husband was treated to a warm glass of water, a clean towel, and even a prayer before they began eating. It was a level of service I had never provided, and it made me wonder if I had failed my own partner in the past.
Looking back, I realize that I was so focused on my own needs and desires that I neglected my partner's. I would serve him his food, then immediately retreat to the living room to watch TV or eat my own snack. I never bothered to bring him warm water to wash his hands, and I would often shout at him to hurry up and eat.
It's a far cry from the level of service my friend provided, and it makes me wonder if I was somehow 'doing it wrong.' Was I normal? Did I fail myself? Was my partner pretending to be happy with me?
As I ponder these questions, I'm left wondering how other women serve their partners. Do you serve your man meals with the same level of care and attention that my friend did? Or do you, like me, take a more...relaxed approach?
