Recently I have had been able to see a different side to dh

[Paz]

I went to a conference/awards banquet and then met with some others he works with. Normally we're all so busy and he works out of town alot so I don't get too involved with his work. Anyway, I have a much greater appreciation for him, for what he does, and how hard he works. It's kinda cool, just thought I'd share that. My kids are also amazed when they hear him talking to clients on the phone. My ds (18 and a little disrespectful, at times) told him he is amazed that he can actually speak like a normal person to his clients. My dh is a big joker at home and it's hard to take him seriously.

[JennifersLost]

but the weirdest thing was when I once heard how my dh had been getting fed up with the behavior of another guy at hockey. I guess they had "words" and then my dh "dropped his gloves".

 

I was so surprised to hear about it. My dh? My sweet, peaceful, kind dh? I guess the other guy backed down and they didn't actually fight, but it was hard for me to picture that scene at all, LOL.

 

All in all I've learned the hard way that while I'm pretty darn smart in a bookish sense, dh has me beat in "life-skills" all over the place. Like...making money, making friends, balancing a budget....

[Jean in Newcastle]

What a great gift for both you and your children to see the professional side of your dh!

[PariSarah]

My dh is pretty mild-mannered--he has his father's ability to get along with just about anyone.

 

But one day we were taking the youth group out to dinner, and the outgoing youth worker wanted to go to such-and-such a place in a not-so-nice (not bad, but not scrubbed-clean-for-the-tourists) area of town.

 

So there we were, two or three adult volunteers, him, me, ds, who was 3 at the time, and ten or twelve teens. Well, this street guy started harassing one of the girls--"Hey baby, whatcha looking for? You know, you and me could have a real nice time," and so on. He started following us and really trying to accost her. He was kind of tall and muscular--not big, but ripped. This was not my idea of a good time.

 

My mild-mannered, skinny, unimposing dh picks up what's going on and starts walking belligerently in between the girl and the street guy--every time the guy moved, dh moved to get in between him and the girl.

 

Finally, the guy kind of shoves him and starts yelling in his face. Dh just loudly and firmly repeated, about four times, "This girl is part of our group. She is with us, and you are bothering her. She is in our group." (His French hadn't really all come back yet.) The guy was yelling back: "What are you saying to me? Who do you think you're talking to?" Dh just kept repeating himself.

 

I almost peed my pants, I was so scared this guy was going to beat dh up. And dh had never been in any kind of fight (at least, not since he was about twelve) and we were sort of morally opposed to it anyway, so I wasn't really sure how that was going to go for him, especially since the guy looked to be on some serious juice. But dh just stood his ground, looking . . . I don't know, in control. Not aggressive, not angry, not powerful. Just in control.

 

After a few threats and nasty looks, the guy just melted away, and we all prayed prayers of relief.

[Michelle T]

I went to a conference/awards banquet and then met with some others he works with. Normally we're all so busy and he works out of town alot so I don't get too involved with his work. Anyway, I have a much greater appreciation for him, for what he does, and how hard he works. It's kinda cool, just thought I'd share that. My kids are also amazed when they hear him talking to clients on the phone. My ds (18 and a little disrespectful, at times) told him he is amazed that he can actually speak like a normal person to his clients. My dh is a big joker at home and it's hard to take him seriously.

 

My DH is also a HUGE joker around the house, so when I hear him talking with a client, it's always such a shock. It is great to see that different side, isn't it? I also get a huge kick out of the difference between DH, mr-everything-is-silly, and DH, mr-loan-consultant-supreme.

Michelle T

[Jeanne in MN]

and I was really moved. The review listed many positive things about my husband's performance including how well he got along with his co-workers and how they valued the times he would go above and beyond the call of duty to help them. (He's an information tech. guy that does computer work for an insurance company) I was so proud of my dh while reading that review. At the same time, however, I was jealous that there was no one to point out all the wonderful things I do. :o

[freethinkermom]

I used to work in an office with Dh before kids, so I am familiar with his professional persona, although he has grow a lot professionally since then. Lately, since his last promotion, he has been able to work from home at least one day a week, sometimes more. It is great to see the kids watching him work. It is amazing how much the boys, especially ds11, have learned about the corporate world by listening to dh on his (sometimes endless) conference calls. It also makes me happy for them to see that a man can balance a challenging corporate executive position and being a hands on father.

 

It works in reverse too. Dh has been telling me how nice it is to see me balance teaching the kids and my work (writing and painting) everyday; that before he knew how much work I did, but seeing it first hand puts it in a different perspective.