And the clouds prove it.

This summer my husband, Scott, and I have taken a profound interest in clouds. We’ve had the most stunning skies recently. Beautiful puffy, fluffy, billowy, white clouds or cottony swishes splashed across the sky that reflect brilliant sunbeams. And at dusk, the colors are magnificent. Magentas and yellows and pinks and blues. Breathtaking. Almost every evening, Scott and I walk outside, point to the sky, and ooh and aah. Like five-year-olds, we identify flying dragons and Irish Setters wearing party hats.

How God reminded me about the importance of patience and politeness

So I stopped by the grocery store last night to pick up items for supper. It had been a good day. I’d been productive at work. Traffic on the way home had been light (I’d caught most of the green lights). Even my grocery store experience was pleasant. No one bumped me with a cart or pushed me out of the way to snatch the tomato I’d been eyeing.

My step was light. All was well.

And then I took my place in the checkout line.

Is that desire so wrong?

Last Saturday, I stood in my underwear (control-top hose included) and tried to pick the perfect outfit for a party. Finally, I chose a cute flowered dress with a blue semi-jacket—my favorite outfit.

I put it on and eyed myself in the mirror. Then I sighed. My cute flowered dress looked cute—just not on me.

I didn’t feel beautiful. At all. And all I wanted at that moment was to pull on my sweats and eat a tub of Ben & Jerry’s.

As I walked downstairs, my husband whistled. “You look pretty.”

“I feel fat and ugly,” I huffed. And insecure, I added mentally.

Why it’s a good idea—and a good lesson

Back in April, the U.S. celebrated Husband Appreciation Day, a time for wives to reflect on the various ways their spouses enrich their lives. I love the idea—especially since my husband does a ton of things for me, which too often I take for granted. Little things, such as taking care of the yard work, fixing leaky toilets, making me coffee in the mornings, holding doors open, watching Dr. Phil with me.

I was talking about this “holiday” with an acquaintance, when she said, “What about Wife Appreciation Day?”

“Um,” I said, taken aback by her snarky tone. “Wouldn’t that be Sweetest Day?”