When I was studying at university, I didn’t feel very confident about myself, how I looked, my scholarly abilities or my eyesight. This meant that I didn’t really value myself very much. I didn’t take enough time to love or care for myself. I just ignored that niggly negative voice at the back of my mind and didn’t deal with those feelings. One consequence of feeling like this was, I never thought I would be worthy of love. I know a man should not help to define my sense of self-worth, and being in love or married, is not the only thing that matters. I still think that. But at the time, I honestly thought I would be lonely forever (I didn’t want that) and no man I actually liked would understand my disability, or let’s face it, my, slightly odd, personality.
It’s been 7 years since I left university and just under 7 years I have known my now husband. It was our two-year anniversary in July. He has helped me to believe in and appreciate myself. People say behind every successful man there is a woman, but behind a successful Dipti there is my lovely husband (oh and my family and friends, but this post is for our two year wedding anniversary so it’s all about my husband).
I wrote this little thank you to my husband, and he has permitted me to share it with you all. It is very personal to me, which is why it has taken so long to post. So here goes:
Thank you for helping me with anything. All I have to do is ask.
Thank you for being patient, when I keep banging my knee on the corner of the bed and shout the house down. You always clean the cuts and sort the bruises, no matter how small.
Thank you for not being annoyed when I tell you how to drive, rubbish your ‘parallel’ parking or when I get irritated when you have taken the wrong turn.
Thank you for helping me in the mornings and telling me if my makeup is wrong.
Thank you for coping with me when I walk into the road, insisting that the car wasn’t driving too fast.
Thank you for checking my blog – seeing your face when you do it makes me happy. I’m sorry I pick out the grammar you have missed.
Thank you for believing in me and helping me to believe in myself.
You have always loved me for being me. I will always love you for being you. I look forward to the rest of our life together. Because… we are better together.
If you have someone you really love (family, partners, friends, anyone) – make sure you appreciate them. Give them a hug and go and thank them.
Love is a very special thing.
disabilityandme.net 