When a ‘Good’ Man Loves a Woman …

Inspired by the Percy Sledge classic, Thomas Fiffer riffs on male/female romance—with a little help from his friends at The Good Men Project.

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When a man loves a woman, Can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else

“When a Man Loves a Woman” —Percy Sledge

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Men love women. Men love men. Women love men. And women love women. When it comes to love, no one is ever excluded. These words, inspired by a popular song, are meant to celebrate the way a certain kind of man—the one a woman calls “a good one” or “a keeper”—loves the woman who is the love of his life.

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When a good man loves a woman … he is present.

… he doesn’t just listen, he hears.

… he never ignores her.

… he stays up with her when she can’t sleep.

… he shows up in her life, again, and again, and again.

When a good man loves a woman … he is patient.

… he gives her time to get ready.

… he lets her vent.

… he answers the same question over and over again.

… he never dismisses her worries or fears.

When a good man loves a woman … he is supportive.

… he always has her back and never holds her back.

… he takes her side with his friends and his family.

… he will walk a mile in the rain for her.

… he will drive to the drugstore in the middle of the night for “supplies.”

When a good man loves a woman … he is committed.

… he holds a space in his heart for her that no one else can enter.

… if she gave him a ring, he wears it.

… he plans for their shared future.

… he invests in her dreams.

When a good man loves a woman … he is grateful.

… he is thankful for her presence.

… he is appreciative of her gifts.

… he wears the clothes she buys him.

… he never, ever, ever feels entitled.

When a good man  loves a woman … he is humble.

… he is never unforgiving.

… he celebrates her success.

… he apologizes when he’s wrong and appreciates an apology when he’s right.

… he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.

When a good man loves a woman … he is smitten.

… she is his sun, his earth, his stars, and his moon.

… he saves her cards and letters … forever.

… his heart quickens when he hears her footsteps.

… he sneaks a sniff of her underwear in the laundry.

When a good man loves a woman … he is honorable.

… she can count on his word

… he never uses her vulnerability against her.

… he will never embarrass her.

… a pinky swear is a solemn promise.

When a good man loves a woman … he is respectful.

 … he treasures her possessions.

… he treats her friends as his own.

… he never wastes her time.

… he never shows contempt.

When a good man loves a woman … he values her independence.

… he never tries to control her.

… he doesn’t always need to know where she is.

… it’s OK if she earns more than he does.

… he lets her work her magic.

When a good man loves a woman … he is generous.

… he gives unrelentingly and unresentfully.

… he never feels she’s taking, only that he is sharing.

… what’s his is hers, without reservation.

… he doesn’t keep a running tab.

When a good man loves a woman … he is kind-hearted.

… he shares his burdens but does not dump them on her.

… he loves her kids, even if they are not his own.

… he chooses his words carefully in disagreements.

… he never, ever, ever puts her down.

When a good man loves a woman … he is protective.

… he doesn’t allow her to hurt herself.

… he steers her away from toxic people, even those who claim to love her.

… he opens doors and carries her bags for her.

… he wraps her in a blanket or his coat when she’s cold.

When a good man loves a woman … he takes care of himself—for both of them.

… he always strives to be his best self for her.

… he attends to his physical and mental  health.

… he is into self-improvement.

… he doesn’t take unnecessary risks.

When a good man loves a woman … he is romantic.

… he doesn’t forget special occasions.

… he doesn’t give her gifts that are “for him.”

… he takes a day off just to be with her.

… he buys her flowers just because.

When a good man loves a woman … he is fearless.

… he’s not afraid to show his love for her.

… he is honest about his needs.

… he is not afraid to cry in her arms.

… he is not afraid to lose her over being who he is.

When a good man loves a woman …

… he always has a smile ready.

… a kiss is never, ever, ever too long.

… his arms are always open.

… he places her first among equals.

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This post is republished on Medium.

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You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project

Compliments Men Want to Hear More Often

Relationships Aren’t Easy, But They’re Worth It

The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex

..A Man’s Kiss Tells You Everything

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