What do you admire most about your SO/spouse?

[SDPersona]

Recently, I was skyping with my boyfriend again and he said he's planning on getting a pilot license. It surprised me. It's not because I didn't know that he dreams of flying a plane or even an helicopter. In fact, he told me from the beginning that his dream career would be being an astronaut. He'd do all that if only he'd be able to hear. You see, he's deaf and you know you need to be able to hear if you want to do any flying. So, he accepted that he won't ever be able to do what he most desires. And then, after such a long time, he says he'll try getting that license if only for private flying. He's going to try make his dreams come true. After I thought that, I realized something and I felt like being hit by a lightning bolt.

I ADMIRE him!

I really do. I admire him for going against all odds and trying to make his dreams come true. I admire that he's such a hard worker, he gives everything and does nothing by half. I admire that he keeps such a positive outlook on life and everything inbetween. I admire how caring he is towards his friends and family members. I admire the way he lives his life. And I admire that he puts up with my down days!

I felt awed and inspired and it made me think, reflect about me and my past relationships. I loved all my ex-partners, but did I admire them? A resounding NO! Not even once. And that made me think that maybe they didn't end because the spark faded. They ended because I didn't respect them anymore. And that meant that I probably was in relationships for the wrong reasons.

So, what do you admire about your SO/spouse?

[Malaga]

I admire my boyfriend's talent, he's really creative and skillful when it comes to anything visual. He also finds it easy to pick up new things, especially anything sports related - he has amazing spatial awareness. Being the clumsy one, I really admire that. He's very special.

[dglynn77]

His work ethic. His good heart. His love for his family and friends. His amazing personality.

[lademoiselle]

I admire his tenacity and ambition; he's achieved a fair amount in his life (which makes me very proud of him!) because of these attributes. He really is an inspiration to me

[usmcgirl]

I admire his detirmnination. He's detirmined to be a Marine; to prove my parents wrong about him; to get out of Kansas; to prove everyone wrong about him. I love that about him.

[Haley53]

I admire his intelligence and his creativity. He's extremely bright but oftentimes a really abstract thinker. I tend to think more logically/linearly and while he is also capable of being very logical, it's nice to have the creativity to balance me out. Along those same lines, I also admire the fact he's able to keep up with me during a debate/discussion and keep me on my toes as much as I do him.

[lala]

I admire a lot of things. My SO likes to help people.. if friends and family call him he is always there for them, also if it means that he has no time for himself.Once he said that loves his little niece and that he would give his live for her. Sometimes he can be a bit too naive and people use him..
he also focus on his job and studies..which I admire a lot but on the other hand he is always busy..

I can just say that I admire for who he is. He is a special man with a really good heart!!

[Trethsparr]

My husband has such a heart for helping others. He will drop what he's doing in a heartbeat without even thinking a second thought. He always, always thinks of himself last. He's the most selfless person I know. Seeing it humbles me and inspires me to do the same.

[Reuschel]

Her sociability. She can handle any situation with gusto, talks to everyone, makes everyone smiles, and is just an overall amazing person to be with at parties/get togethers/etc.

[Biscous]

Her dedication and strong will.

[blankita719]

He is an amazing father. Maybe to some of the younger members around here that seems an odd thing to admire, but trust me it's one of the best qualities a guy can have

[Zapookie]

I admire his bravery, and his huge heart - he's a very strong man and the love that comes from him is never-ending. I admire his charisma and his creative abilities (I just love the way his brain functions) - he can talk to almost anyone without fear of rejection, and he isn't afraid of what people will think of him.

[Haley53]

He is an amazing father. Maybe to some of the younger members around here that seems an odd thing to admire, but trust me it's one of the best qualities a guy can have

I completely agree with this. My partner isn't a father, but he's the legal guardian of his younger brother and watching him interact with my animals, children we have interactions with, and the way he takes care of his brother is something that makes me beam, because I can see him making an amazing father, and there aren't enough of them out there. Simply wanted to point out that even if this isn't currently something I can admire in my own SO, it made me smile, because I think it's a trait that's often overlooked.

[efish1042]

His ability to roll with the punches, something I have always struggled with. His compassion. His patience. His trust. His logic. Just.... him.

[temporaryuser]

I admire my so's drive and ambition.
When he finished the police academy he was propositioned by the secret service because he finished at the top of his class. But his then wife told him she wouldnt move (which the job required) and so he turned it down. he then tried to persue his masters degree and again, his wife made that impossible. She wanted to spend $ and with him going to school, he couldnt work enough to financially support her spending habits. So he quit.
he left her 5 years ago, it was a very nasty divorce, and cost him many tens of thousands of dollars.
now that he has climbed out of that hole, and at the age of 42, he decided that he IS going to finish that degree. it is a ton of work, not an easy degree at all, not to mention the expense. And on top of that the schools keep telling him that his bachelors degrees (1 in biology and 1 in psychology) are too old, and he has had to retake a bunch of classes. it has been 1 hoop to jump after another. But he hasn't given up!
between his 2 jobs, and school work, there are days that I dont even hear from him, which is hard. When i go up there to visit, there are days that the only time we spend together is me driving him to work or school - just for those few minutes of togetherness.
i wont let him give up. i keep cracking the whip, looking for ways to help where I can.