When my husband, Jake, handed me a schedule outlining how I could “become a better wife,” I was stunned. Instead of reacting with anger, I chose to play along. Little did he know, this would lead to a lesson that would make him reconsider his entire outlook on marriage.
I’ve always been the calm one in our relationship, the one who stays composed when things get tense. Jake, on the other hand, often jumps on trends—whether it’s a new hobby or the latest self-help advice. He’s easily influenced, especially by his friend Steve.
Steve was the type who believed being loud made him right, always quick to dish out unsolicited advice, especially on relationships, despite being perpetually single. His ideas started rubbing off on Jake, and soon, I began noticing subtle shifts. Comments like how wives should always look good for their husbands or manage the household started creeping into our conversations. It was annoying, but I brushed it off—until Jake brought home “The List.”
He sat me down and, with an air of superiority, slid a piece of paper across the table. “You’re a great wife, Lisa, but there’s always room for improvement,” he said.
Raising an eyebrow, I unfolded the paper. Titled “Lisa’s Weekly Routine for Becoming a Better Wife,” it detailed a schedule where I was to wake up at 5 a.m., make Jake breakfast, hit the gym, and then spend the day tackling household chores—all before my job even started. By evening, I was to prepare a homemade dinner and serve snacks whenever his friends came over.
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