Sometimes I play a game with my wife, adding a bit of sweetness into things to offset the alpha. I’ll buy a bag of small chocolates and leave a couple at a time around the house where she’ll find them over a few weeks until the bag is gone. She likes it and finds it sweet, etc.
I one upped myself this time. I bought the current bag at 40% off the day after Valentine’s day. Unlike the old me that might’ve been ashamed, I proudly fessed up to it when she asked and referenced the infamous Skittles post (which she’s read) – all in good humor, of course.
Also, the other day we shared a bag of peanut butter M&M’s (very tasty). When we got to the last four, she asked if I’d been saving them for her. I replied that no, I’d been saving a couple for our son (he only gets one or two at a time due to being just over a year old, but he freaking loves them). She then asked if the last two were one for me and one for her. I said no, she could have both. She asked if I was sure, to which I replied, “Yes, happy birthday.” It was, in fact, her birthday. She looked at me and said, with a grin, “What, one whole M&M? Gee, thanks.”
The key to making it work in a long term relationship: make sure it’s humorous. If she’s certain that that’s all you think she’s worth, she won’t put up with it. If she thinks you’re kidding but isn’t quite sure, you’ve hit it just right.
