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

“When a Man Loves a Woman” — Percy Sledge

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.

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.

Joeseph A. Cornacchia