What’s His Passion?

My question this week is: What is your Husband’s passion?

I don’t mean THAT kind of passion! This is a family-friendly magazine. We’re talking about the kind of interests and hobbies that your husband loves. What really brings out the little boy in your husband and makes him feel alive?

If you’re lucky, your husband will have interests that align with yours. Perhaps you both enjoy gardening, theater, hiking, or travel. You might spend time together hiking through the woods, talking about places you want to travel, and then go to the theater afterwards to see Phantom of the Opera. Oh to be so lucky!

Or, maybe you’re more like me and your husband is interested in something that makes you numb with boredom. For instance, my darling husband is a huge NASCAR fan. I am not. After 10 years of marriage, I still don’t understand the concept of watching cars turn left for hours upon end. I get just as excited watching people pump gas. No interest. Zilch.

So, what’s a wife to do when her husband has an interest that’s... not interesting?

Me? I figured out pretty quickly in my marriage that I am fascinated by my husband, even if I’m not fascinated by all of his interests.

You’re basically faced with two choices. You can either get over it and spend time with your husband, or not. If the hobby is something your husband really enjoys, wouldn't you rather learn about it, and share the common bond than to have him enjoy it alone or always leave to share his hobby with his buddies?

Before you start to panic, let me sneak in a disclaimer. No, you don't have to travel three hours by car to Indianapolis or Talladega — just to sit in the sun all day, burning to a crisp, suffering from heat stroke, while choking on car exhaust as you watch cars race lap after lap after insufferable lap.

No. You can certainly show him that he’s special to you in a much more comfortable way. Sit cozy in the air conditioning on your living room couch and watch some of the race together. Afterwards, treat him to a trip to the local arcade. Find two racing games that are connected and race each other.

No matter what his favorite sport is, you can easily find a way to share it together and make him feel special.

Is he a Football Fan?
Toss the football with him in the yard. If you've never played football before or just got your nails done, use a Nerf ball. (After jammed fingers and broken nails, I learned this one the hard way.) When he lets you tackle him, you can sneak in a kiss.

Is Basketball his game?
Shoot hoops in the driveway. Play a game of "HORSE." The winner gets a back rub or snuggling afterwards. That way you both win!

Does he love Baseball?
Play catch with a water balloon on a hot summer day. Go to the batting cage. Or join a softball league together. You’ll get great exercise, and you get to enjoy time together.

Hockey Fanatic?
Dust off your rollerblades, grab a hockey stick and a street puck, and hit the street with your husband. Or, get a pair of figure skates and take him to the ice rink. What do you have to lose other than a few inches off your thighs?

Fantasy Sports Addict?
Join his Fantasy Football, Baseball, or Basketball League. You’ll get to know his friends and also be one of the "cool" wives. You might even surprise him and win a few games.

Golf?
Play a game of mini-golf together.

If your husband is like mine, and he’ll watch pretty much any sport on TV, the possibilities are endless. Watch a high school sporting event together. Go bowling. Or schedule your own Tour de France. Pack a lunch and a few jugs of water on your bikes and hit the road.

No matter what sport he enjoys you can surprise him by throwing a party! Invite friends over to watch the sports event on TV. Have pizza delivered and relax and enjoy. He’ll feel supported and loved by your gesture.

No matter what you plan, it'll be a treat for him. And, the next time you're watching an episode of Desperate Housewives, don't be surprised if you find your husband snuggled up next to you.

Nicole Dean is the proud creator and owner of http://www.romanceyourhusband.com/, a website dedicated to helping married couples stay friends and to help them remember why they married each other in the first place. Her disclaimer is: If he's a jerk, this won't work. But, if he's sweet, rub his feet.