It's My Turn to Support My Husband!

Lately, my husband hasn't been himself.

I know the reason why.

My husband has more pride than most, and he feels a strong sense of responsibility to protect our family.

That is precisely why he finds it difficult to show his weaknesses.

Even when he is truly struggling, he says, "I'm fine."

He keeps things bottled up inside because he doesn't want to worry me.

But because we have been together for so many years, I can tell.

Even if he doesn't say a word, I can see it in his expressions and actions.

He speaks less.

He seems to carry a heavy burden.

He sighs more often.

He uses more negative language.

And above all, he smiles less.

Every time I see him like that, my heart aches.

I am sure that right now, he is carrying a great deal of anxiety and worry.

About our family.

About work.

About money.

About the future.

I think he is thinking about many different things.

Because he is someone who feels a strong desire to protect his family, he might be trying to shoulder all that responsibility alone.

But no one can live alone.

No matter how strong someone may seem, there are times when they feel like they might break.

My husband is no different.

It's not that he doesn't worry because he is strong.

I believe that the stronger a person is, the more they struggle in silence while doing their best.

When I see my husband like that, I think,

"What can I do for him?"

I should work harder at the shop.

I should grow more myself.

I want to lighten his burden even just a little.

That is what I think.

But in reality, perhaps I don't need to do anything special.

Just being by his side.

Listening to him.

Greeting him with a smile.

Telling him, "Thank you for everything."

Those simple, everyday things might be the most important.

I have been helped by my husband many times in the past.

Even when I didn't have confidence in myself.

Even when I felt crushed by anxiety.

Even when I was struggling with work.

My husband was always on my side.

He would send me messages during his work breaks to encourage me.

He would listen to me when I was feeling down.

He gently supported me so that I could look forward.

That is why I am who I am today.

I don't think I could have made it this far on my own.

The same goes for being able to publish my e-book.

The same goes for being able to take on new challenges.

The same goes for being able to believe in myself little by little.

Behind all of that, my husband was always there.

So now, it is my turn to support him.

Because we are a married couple.

I believe that being a couple means not just being together during the happy times, but walking together through the difficult times as well.

When my husband was doing well, he supported me.

So now, I will support him.

When my husband cannot smile, I want to bring him a smile.

When my husband is anxious, I want to tell him, "It's okay."

When my husband cannot look forward, I can just stand still by his side.

There is no need to force him forward.

It is enough just to be by his side.

We can worry together, think together, and move forward together.

Since we got married, so many things have happened.

There have been fun times.

There have been painful times.

We have hit walls many times.

Even so, the reason we were able to overcome them is because we were two, not one.

So we will be okay this time, too.

Even if it is painful now, a day will surely come when we can laugh again.

That is what I believe.

Just as my husband has tried to protect our family, now I want to protect my husband.

So that his heart can feel even a little lighter.

So that his smile can return, even if just a little.

I will continue to be by his side.

It's okay.

You are not alone.

We have overcome everything together so far.

So I am sure we will be okay from here on out, too.

I believe in my husband.

And I believe in us as a couple.

It's okay. We will get through this together.