After 23 Years of Marriage, Wife Asks Husband on a Date and Learns He Is Ashamed of Her — Story of the Day

A woman decides to ask her husband out on a date to rekindle their flame. He refused, admitting he was ashamed of her, only to learn an important lesson from one of his good friends later.

Jack and Mary had been married for 23 years with four children who needed constant attention from Mary. Their life was a routine, something that no longer excited the couple.

Their daily routine differed from one another. Jack would come home from work, lay on the couch, and watch television until dinner. Meanwhile, Mary worked the entire day, cooking dinner, washing everyone’s clothes, caring for their youngest child, and guiding the other kids with their homework.

When Mary would finally have free time late at night, she’d watch romantic films and imagine herself in them. She’s been dreaming of going on a date, as she and her husband haven’t gone on one in a while.

Mary wanted to go on a date with her husband, as they haven't been on one in a while. | Source: Shutterstock

Mary wanted to go on a date with her husband, as they haven’t been on one in a while. | Source: Shutterstock

However, when Mary looked at herself in the mirror, she was saddened by what she saw. She looked nothing like the women in the movies.

She glanced at her wedding photo in front of the mirror and couldn’t believe her eyes. She now saw a tired, sad old woman instead of the cheerful young girl she once was.

Shaking the thought, she decided to change her reality. The next day, when Jack returned from work, she sat him down at the dinner table.

“Jack, I was thinking… maybe we can go on a date? There’s a nice place that opened downtown. Maybe we can go check it out,” she suggested.

Jack scoffed and was surprised that Mary even initiated it. “Date? Why would we go on a date? Is today a special day or something?” he asked.

Mary always looked tired, as she looked after the entire household every single day. | Source: Pexels

Mary always looked tired, as she looked after the entire household every single day. | Source: Pexels

Mary shook her head. “Well, we don’t have to wait for a special day to go out on a date… we can make any day special,” she smiled kindly.

Instead of feeling touched by Mary’s gesture, Jack started to feel irritated. “Look at you!” he told Mary. “You look terrible. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Mary felt hurt by her husband’s harsh words, especially since she looked that way because she had just finished cleaning their house. “I just finished doing all the housework; that’s why I look like this,” she justified.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You look like this every day. You used to take care of yourself, fix your hair, dress up well, but now you look like an old maid. I don’t know when you started to let go of yourself,” Jack told her.

Mary’s eyes filled with tears. “Even when you cry, you look terrible. Do you want the truth? I’m ashamed of you. I can’t take you out like this,” Jack said before walking out the front door.

Mary couldn't help but cry after hearing such hurtful words from her husband. | Source: Pexels

Mary couldn’t help but cry after hearing such hurtful words from her husband. | Source: Pexels

Jack went to his friend Samuel’s house and invited him to a bar for a beer. But Samuel turned him down immediately. “Sorry, mate. I’m going on a date with my wife. There’s this new place downtown I wanna take her to.”

Jack was offended that his friend refused a trip to the bar for a date with his wife. Then he saw Samuel’s wife heading down the stairs. She looked beautiful in her dress and had a big smile as she held flowers in her arms.

“Sam, I just found this bouquet on the table in our room. Did you put them there?” she beamed, kissing Samuel on the cheek.

“Yep, surprise! Also, here…” he said, taking a paper bag from behind the front door. His wife opened it and inside was a beautiful evening dress.

“Oh, Sam. This is beautiful! You are the best husband! Let me change quickly. I will wear this dress on our date,” she said excitedly, rushing back upstairs.

Samuel surprised his wife with flowers before their date. | Source: Pexels

Samuel surprised his wife with flowers before their date. | Source: Pexels

Jack was stunned at what he had just witnessed. “Sam, your wife is beautiful, and you two look so in love! My wife always looks miserable. She barely ever smiles nowadays,” he said.

“When was the last time you asked Mary out on a date?” Samuel asked his friend.

“I can’t remember… two years ago, maybe?” he replied.

“You last asked her out on a date two years ago, and now you’re complaining to me that she doesn’t smile?!” Samuel said, hitting his friend playfully on the arm.

Shaking his head, Samuel decided to give Jack a valuable piece of advice. “You know, mate. I make every single day special for my wife. She’s the light of our home. She deserves all the love and appreciation from me. She’s always been beautiful, but every day, she puts in extra effort to look even more beautiful – because she feels loved.”

Samuel makes every day special for him and his wife. | Source: Pexels

Samuel makes every day special for him and his wife. | Source: Pexels

Jack stood there, quietly absorbing what Samuel was saying. He realized he had a responsibility he hadn’t been fulfilling toward his wife.

“When I take my wife on a date, it’s not because it’s a special day. It’s because I choose to make every day special. Try it, mate. It might work wonders on your marriage,” Samuel suggested.

Jack nodded, realizing that what Samuel said was what Mary was trying to tell him earlier. “Thanks, Sam. Well, enjoy your date tonight. I’ll go back home now.”

When Jack returned home, he had a gift for Mary. “I’m sorry for hurting you with my words earlier today. I was being disrespectful, and you didn’t deserve that,” he said, handing her the gift box. “Would you like to go out on a date with me tomorrow? I booked us a table at that cool place downtown…”

Jack surprised Mary with a gift before asking her out on a date. | Source: Pexels

Jack surprised Mary with a gift before asking her out on a date. | Source: Pexels

Mary looked at Jack, surprised. She was thrilled and smiled the same cheerful smile she used to show him every day when they were younger. She opened the gift box and saw a beautiful silver necklace.

“This is so beautiful, Jack. Thank you. I would love to go on a date with you tomorrow,” she replied.

The following day, Jack saw Mary transform right in front of his eyes. She looked breathtaking, and he was reminded that he had the most beautiful woman by his side. He was happy, and so was she.

Since then, both Mary and Jack have made it a point to work on their relationship. They rekindled the flame between them, and it did wonders not only for themselves but also for their family life.

What can we learn from this story?

  • You don’t need a special day to celebrate. You can make every day special. Jack initially believed dates should only be celebrated on special occasions. His good friend Samuel made him realize that every day could be memorable, and it was up to him to make it that way.
  • Show your loved ones your love, support, and appreciation every day. We often overlook the little things our loved ones do for us every day. It’s important to pay attention to them and show your appreciation so that love continues to bloom at home.

Share this story with your loved ones. It might inspire them and make their day.

If you liked this story, you might like this one about a wealthy inventor who abandoned his wife for a younger woman, only for her to save him from a thief later on.

This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. 

I Took in a Homeless Woman and Her Baby – What She Did Next Left Me Speechless

At 75, my life was mostly quiet, filled with memories of the past. Each day felt long, with nothing much happening. I spent a lot of time thinking about my daughter, Gianna, who had passed away three years earlier. Not a single day went by without her crossing my mind.

One afternoon, while walking along my usual route, I noticed a young woman sitting by the roadside. She was holding a baby in her arms, looking lost and desperate. Something about her reminded me of Gianna, and I couldn’t just walk past her.

My son, Sebastian, lived in another city. He was busy with work and his family. He called sometimes, but visits were rare. I missed him, but I understood. Life pulls us all in different ways.

My days were quiet. I shopped for groceries and went to my weekly book club meetings.

Source: Unsplash

One afternoon, after getting groceries, I saw a young woman sitting by the road, holding a baby wrapped in a thin blanket. She looked tired and sad, but something about her caught my eye.

Maybe it was her eyes, full of exhaustion, or the way she held the baby so protectively. She reminded me of my daughter, Gianna.

Source: Unsplash

I couldn’t just walk past her.

“Do you need help, dear?” I asked softly as I approached.

She looked up, startled. “I don’t want to be a burden,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Nonsense,” I said. “You and the baby need warmth. Come with me.”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered.

We walked back to my house in silence. The baby stirred in her arms, and she held him tighter. I brought them inside, offered her a seat, and warmed some tea. The house had felt cold for so long, but now it seemed alive.

Source: Unsplash

“What’s your name, dear?” I asked, handing her the tea.

“Julia,” she replied softly. “And this is Adam.”

I smiled at the baby, who blinked at me with curious eyes. “He’s a handsome boy,” I said, trying to make her feel comfortable.

“Thank you,” Julia said, a small smile forming. “He’s all I have.”

In the days that followed, Julia stayed with me. She got a job at a local store, and I cared for Adam while she worked. He brought joy to the house, his little giggles filling the rooms with life. It felt as though everything had changed.

Source: Unsplash

“Thank you for letting us stay here,” Julia said one evening after putting Adam to bed. She sat across from me, holding a cup of tea.

“It’s been good for me,” I replied. “The house was too quiet before you came.”

“I don’t know what we would’ve done without you,” she said, her eyes full of gratitude.

As weeks passed, we grew closer. Julia shared more about her past, including her five-year-old daughter, Aurora, who was in a hospital.

Source: Unsplash

“She’s… not well,” Julia whispered. “But we don’t talk about it much.” There was sadness in her eyes, but I didn’t push her to say more.

Then one afternoon, everything changed.

I came home early from my book club. The house was too quiet. Julia was supposed to be at work, and Adam was with me, so I didn’t expect anything unusual. But when I walked into my bedroom, I froze.

Source: Unsplash

Julia was standing by my dresser, pulling open the drawers. My jewelry, loose bills, even my mother’s old brooch were scattered on the floor.

“Julia?” I gasped, my heart sinking.

She turned, her face pale, tears instantly filling her eyes. “I can explain,” she stammered, dropping everything in her hands.

“Why?” I whispered, unable to believe what I was seeing.

Source: Unsplash

“I didn’t mean to steal,” Julia cried, shaking. “I just… I didn’t know what else to do. Aurora’s surgery… I can’t afford it, and I can’t lose her. I’ve already lost so much.

Her words hung in the air. Despite my anger, I felt my heart soften. I understood her fear. The thought of her losing her child, like I lost mine, was unbearable.

I knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Julia, I know you’re scared. You should have told me. I could’ve helped.”

Source: Unsplash

She looked up, full of remorse. “I was ashamed. You’ve done so much for me already, and I didn’t want to ask for more.”

“We’ll figure this out together,” I said softly. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

Julia wiped her tears, eyes wide with disbelief. “You’re… not angry?”

“I am,” I admitted. “But I understand why you did it. And I forgive you.”

She stared at me, then threw her arms around me, crying into my shoulder. “Thank you… thank you so much.”

Source: Unsplash

That night, I lay in bed thinking. I couldn’t let Julia face this alone. Aurora needed surgery, and if we worked together, we could make it happen. The next morning, I woke determined. I was going to help.

I hadn’t been involved in the community for years, but in my younger days, I had organized events. I started calling people—old friends, former students, and neighbors.

Word spread quickly. People remembered me from my teaching days, and when I explained Julia’s situation, they wanted to help.

“I’ve got things to donate for an auction,” said Maria, a former student. “We can hold it at the community center.”

Source: Unsplash

“I’ll bake pies for the fundraiser,” said Mrs. Ellison from down the street. “People love my apple pies.”

“We could put on a play,” suggested David, an old friend from the local theater. “Sell tickets to raise money.”

On the day of the fundraiser, the community center was full of people. I watched in awe as everyone came together to help Julia and Aurora. The auction went well, with people bidding generously.

The bake sale was a hit, too—Mrs. Ellison’s pies sold out in no time.

When the play started, I saw Julia sitting in the front row, tears of gratitude in her eyes. She glanced at me, mouthing, “Thank you.”

I smiled, feeling proud. This was more than just raising money—it brought the community together. We raised every penny needed for Aurora’s surgery.

The day of the surgery was tense. I sat with Julia in the hospital, holding her hand. “She’ll be okay,” I whispered, more for myself than her. I thought of Gianna, of all the nights I’d spent at her bedside. I squeezed Julia’s hand tighter.

Source: Unsplash

Hours passed, and finally, the doctor came out with a smile. “The surgery was a success. Aurora’s going to be fine.”

Julia collapsed into my arms, sobbing with relief. “Thank you… I don’t know how to ever repay you.”

“You don’t need to repay me,” I said, brushing her hair back. “You’ve already given me so much. You’ve brought life back into my home.”

After the surgery, Julia and the kids came back to my house. It wasn’t quiet anymore. Adam’s laughter echoed through the halls, and Aurora’s sweet voice filled the air. Toys were scattered everywhere, and the once-empty house was now full of life and love.

One evening, as we sat at dinner, I looked at Julia, Aurora, and Adam, feeling something I hadn’t felt in years—contentment.

“Stay,” I said suddenly. Julia looked at me, surprised. “Stay here. You and the kids. This house needs noise. It needs life. You’re like family now.”

Julia’s eyes filled with tears. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure.”

And just like that, the house wasn’t empty anymore. It was full of laughter, love, and the warmth of a new family, bound not by blood, but by something stronger.

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