5 EASY ways to show Men Love (A Man’s perspective)

Alright — as you probably know, Father’s Day is this Sunday, and I wanted to offer some thoughts on ways you might show your partner some love. First, let me be very clear: if you are in an unsafe or unhealthy relationship, this is not a call to keep sacrificing yourself for someone who harms or neglects you. I don’t mean for this to imply you should keep accommodating people who don’t reciprocate. My intention here is only to help those of you who are in safe, mutually respectful relationships and who want ideas for honoring the man in your life. If you’re still angry because he did nothing for you on Mother’s Day and you plan to reciprocate, that’s your choice — and honestly, I’d probably feel the same. But for those who have asked how to best support the man they love, here are a few suggestions on how many men feel most appreciated. Keep in mind everyone is different, these are general tendencies, and a lot of these tips aren’t gender-specific — many women would love them too. Use them alongside asking him directly which of these resonates most. Most of these come from my personal experience, so please share your own ideas in the comments. Okay, number one: spontaneous physical affection. I love coming home to a big, excited hug from Emily — it’s the perfect way to reconnect. Little touches out of the blue, flirting, kisses, or initiating intimacy are powerful reminders that she’s thinking of me and desires me. Much of this can be non-sexual, too, and all of it fills my love tank. Two: look for chances to defer to his judgment. Men like to feel competent. I appreciate it when Emily treats me like I know what I’m doing — when she says, “Babe, can you help me with this?” we get to feel useful. While it’s true many men are valued for simply listening rather than fixing everything, sometimes being asked to solve a problem or give advice feels empowering. Take driving as an example: instead of nagging him to ask for directions when he might be lost, try saying, “I trust you,” and let him handle it. You might arrive a few minutes later, but you’ll have chosen to be on the same team, to build him up rather than tear him down. If that suggestion sits wrong with you, it could be worth examining why — you may be viewing him through a lens of past hurt — but if you’re in a safe relationship, what harm is there in saying, “You got this”? I’ll bet he appreciated it the last time you offered that. Three: affirm that he’s strong or that you feel safe with him. Tell him you feel protected. If he’s worked on his physique, compliment his strength. If he isn’t muscular, the same principle applies in everyday ways — asking him to open a stubborn jar or fix a jammed item and then reacting with genuine admiration hits a surprisingly meaningful spot. It may sound cliché, but those small moments of acknowledgement can make a man feel really appreciated. Four: show interest in the things he cares about. Ask about his car, get curious about why he enjoys that particular video game, or invite him to explain the stock market — even if it’s not your cup of tea. Personally, I love talking about the market, but Emily usually only brings it up when she can’t sleep, so the point is: find something that lights him up and engage with it. Go fishing or hunting with him, or simply ask thoughtful questions that let him talk. Don’t overwhelm him — if he’s animated, keep him talking; if he’s quiet, don’t force it. Match his rhythm. Five: praise him openly in front of others. If he fixed the car, completed a project, earned a promotion, or has been grinding away at something, let people know you’re proud of him — as long as you’re confident he won’t hate the attention. Most men appreciate being recognized for what they do well, not just critiqued for what they don’t. This isn’t about giving empty compliments; it’s about noticing and voicing the real, concrete efforts he makes. Those are my suggestions — thanks for reading, and Happy Father’s Day. If any men make it to the end, please leave a comment with what I might have missed. Thanks so much.

Six: small acts of service matter. Doing a few practical things — cooking his favorite meal, taking care of a chore he hates, packing a lunch for a busy day, or tidying up a workspace — shows you notice his load and want to help. These gestures don’t have to be dramatic; consistency is what counts. If he values helpfulness, these quiet contributions speak volumes.

Seven: respect his need for space and independence. Many men recharge by having time to themselves or with friends. Offering that space without guilt is a way of saying you trust him and respect his boundaries. Schedule time apart as well as together, and encourage friendships and solo hobbies — they make your relationship healthier, not weaker.

Eight: make it safe to be vulnerable. Complimenting strength is great, but so is making it clear that he can share fears, doubts, or stress without being judged. Ask open questions like, “How are you really doing?” and listen without immediately fixing. Sometimes the best support is empathetic presence: “I hear you,” “That sounds hard,” or “I’m here” can open doors to deeper connection.

Nine: thoughtful surprises and rewards. You don’t need to spend a lot — a handwritten note, tickets to a game, a tool or book related to his hobby, or planning a low-key experience you know he’ll enjoy can make him feel seen. The key is thoughtfulness: pick things that show you were paying attention to his likes and needs.

Ten: invest in shared projects and his goals. Partnering on a home project, helping map out career steps, or being his accountability buddy for a fitness goal all communicate that you’re on his side long-term. Celebrate milestones, no matter how small, and avoid turning every conversation into performance review — balance encouragement with unconditional support.

Practical communication tips: be specific with praise (“I noticed how long you worked on that and how well it turned out”), check in about his preferred ways to receive support, and ask what he needs rather than assuming. Avoid public shaming or sarcastic put-downs — respect is foundational. Also, be mindful of timing: a compliment or request lands best when he isn’t distracted or stressed.

Finally, remember reciprocity. These suggestions are to deepen mutual care, not to create debt or one-sided labor. Share what you need, invite him to practice these moves too, and make caring for each other an ongoing, reciprocal habit. If you have other ideas or things that make you feel loved as a man, drop them in the comments — I’d love to read them.