My greatest compliment also came from my husband. He told me that he loved the fact that I always see the bright side and I don’t get depressed. I think it comes from having a mother that always told me “Don’t borrow trouble.” So, I always keep in mind that while I may have a hardship to deal with, there are people in much worse situations. And that mindset always brings me back to a place of gratitude.

I’ll bet hearing that makes spending time with your kids that much sweeter. That guy’s a keeper!

Funny that I’m reading this morning. I’ve been sick in bed for two days. Last night, my son, who’s 21, came into my room and plopped himself on my bed. We just talked about the day and such. The conversation somehow turned to when he was in barber school. He told me that I got him thru the year course. That I supported him in so many ways, I wouldn’t let him give up when he was having a bad day, I let him use my car for almost the entire time (I rode my the 2 miles to my job) Someone reading this will probably think what’s the big deal, but that, what he said, is a huge compliment from him.

Aww this is so sweet! The best compliment I ever got was from an ex-boyfriend, who told me that what he loved most about me was “You’re just genuinely yourself, no matter who you’re around or what you’re doing.”

In standard fashion, I responded by blushing and quickly changing the subject–not so great on accepting compliments myself. The linked article was great!

Wonderful words. I think your marriage is safe :) on the surface this sounds slightly superficial, but an older woman working in the registrars office when I was in college stopped in the middle of helping me and said “you have a very pleasant face.” For one thing, what an unusual thing to say. But it wasn’t just like a “you’re pretty!” compliment. I won’t ever forget it because it was so very out of the blue and atypical for a compliment, but also because to me what she meant was I had a calming presence. That’s something that really matters to me.

What a beautiful compliment! I would’ve cried too.

*self-deprecating hon!

My administrative assistant retired this past Monday and she told me she never felt like she worked FOR me a day in 13 years. We were a team and we worked WITH one another. She told me that I had a gift for empowering and encouraging others. It was an amazing compliment.

My what an amazing compliment and sentiment! Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to say even a fraction of “everything” but that’s one’s quite a doozey. What a lovely thing to share with us.

What a lovely compliment! His recognition of your own uniqueness inspiring your children is just beautiful :) I’m actually surprisingly good at receiving compliments despite my nature to always be so harsh on myself. I think I am so elated and excited when it happens that I just blurt out “Thank you!” before I can even begin to question their kind words.

I think one of my greatest compliments was when my best friend let me know how much she trusts me and how much I can make her feel better when she gives me a call (we’re long distance BFFs). It felt good to know that I am doing my duty as a friend :)

Love your blog!

-Caitlyn
http://www.catonthemoon.xyz

3 years ago, I was divorced under unimaginable (…to me, previously) circumstances, after 25 years as a pretty damn good military wife and mother. It was so much turmoil, and I questioned so many of the efforts I’d made over the years. At the very least, I had managed to raise my two daughters before all of this happened. It’s taken a lot of time to heal.

Last year on Mother’s Day, one of my (younger) former sisters in law, of whom I’d been quite fond but have not particularly been in close touch since, posted the following on my Facebook wall: “I always think of you on mother’s day…one of my first models to how it’s done. Thank you.”

It still makes me tear up when I recall it.

My mom told me that I was such a great mom & such a better mom than she ever was. It was so touching & heartfelt. My mom was & is such a wonderful, supportive mom it was the sweetest compliment ever.

This is great. What a gift to have a hubby who notices the most important things. I’d have to say that for me the greatest and most timely compliments comes from my husband regarding our kids. They’re life-giving and so encouraging when I need it most!

Well deserved. And I’d like to compliment your husband for noticing, and valuing all those things.

Love this blog post! I was once told that I had “good energy”. As in, when I walk into a room I bring a happy vibe with me. I think this was the best compliment that I have ever received because it told me I was affecting others around me in a positive way (much like your husbands compliment to you:))

Without a doubt it was when I was in Argentina and ended up going on holiday with an American family. I was a 21 year old college student and was finally getting the hang of speaking Spanish (or Castellano, as they say in Argentina) like a real Argentine. I was standing with the daughter in this family who was about 3 years old. She had really blonde hair, which was remarkable in that culture. A man complimented it and we began a conversation in Spanish. Then the little girl said something to me and I responded in English. This man had a look of complete shock on his face and said “You’re American?? I thought you were from Argentina!” My head must have swelled to double its size because that was the best thing he could have said to me. It’s been over 12 years and I still beam at the thought of it.

I went to my daughters P/T conferences yesterday. She is 13. She had to read a poem snippet to us with inflection and voice. Before she began, she looked at me and said, “When I read, I hear your voice.” I asked what she meant and she said all the time I spent reading to them and the way I read to them is the voice that’s in her head when she reads. As she read it, I read along with her in my head and she sounded just like me. It’s funny how the things that are everyday and sometimes mundane as a mom mean something to them. My ex-husband leaned over and said that’s how I read to them too when they are at my house. I said, oh then it’s your voice too? He said, “No, it’s your voice from reading to them when they were little, that’s how I hear it too.” Made me cry.

Steve’s comment/compliment reflects some pretty fantastic family values. Having them shared with your spouse and having them recognized is even better!

What beautiful words, and I love that you were able to really internalize them in that moment. I know I’m often quick to brush off my husband’s kind words, but I really want to practice taking them in. Thanks for sharing that HuffPo article, too!

Love your family and your blog!

I can’t think of higher praise from the person who’s in the best position to give it. Definitely a compliment worth cherishing, and maybe putting in a frame inside your closet–a private place where it can buck you up on a day when you might need it. Because we all have those days, when the nest is full and after it’s empty.

That is such a great compliment. My mom was the same way you are– and now my brothers and I all read voraciously as young adults!

When I was in college, I gave campus tours. Literally the greatest feeling was when a student who’d gone on a tour with me would randomly come up to me on campus and say “Hey, you gave me my tour and it was so great, that’s part of the reason why I came here!” SUCH high praise… and also why I now work in higher ed with prospective students.

I had a similar exchange with my husband not too long ago. I texted my husband that I forgot to send handmade valentines for our one-year-old’s day school classmates, and added #workingmomfail to the end of the text. He wrote back “Paying bills. Showing Norah women can do and be anything they want. Working hard. Serving our family. #workingmomwins”

It meant so much to me to see those words from him. Best compliment I’ve ever received!

Great post. I feel exactly the same way. We all need to accept compliments without qualifying them with something negative. Embrace it…

That is a wonderful compliment! I think the best ones always catch us by surprise…one of the best I’ve ever received was from a woman (acquaintance, barely) in an organization of which I am a member, saying “I just always feel better when I come to a meeting/gathering and see that you’re there.”

I remember my husband once was watching me playing with our son when he was about 3. I looked up at him and he said, “I love seeing how good you are with Jimmy. You are such a great mother.”
Another compliment I received 3 times now: “When you smile your joy also dances in your eyes (shines in your eyes).”

Years after I had graduated from high school where I never felt accepted or belonged even though I tried so hard – cheerleader, prefect etc. I ran into Lisa who told me she always wanted to be me.

I read in a book many years ago that the only response needed to a compliment was a sincere thank you. It has stuck with me and I do my best to answer compliments that way. It has served me well so far. :)

I have two things that I occasionally hear and that I really like: first, that I take good pictures, and second, that I am adventurous – which I am in very controlled ways – I don’t jump out of airplanes for instance, but I do buy dirty houses.

Dana – this really resonates with me. My mom passed away 10 days ago. In getting through her funeral and the days after, the comments that has brought me so much joy is when someone who didn’t know my mom personally tells me how wonderful that she was by what they see in me. It makes me feel her presence in my life, and helps me to know that I am a reflection of how special she was.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Wait. Valentine’s for a one-year-old?! Your husband is awesome.

Such a sweet moment. My eyes are leaking.

That’s not superficial at all! I completely get it.

There’s something about someone you care deeply for remembering and recognizing something you’ve done that may have felt trivial, mundane or simply “what else would I have done?” at the time.

I really have noticed more enjoyment being with them. When Layne begs to go to the library and Everett spends hours drawing and Mabrey makes up fantastical (completely untrue) stories, I’m reminded of his words.

Eek! Thanks ;) All fixed.

That’s a great one! You should be very proud of that!

I know – it’s silly. I wasn’t going to worry about it until we got valentines home in the school bag from the other kids (who all have older siblings in school, too). Totally a silly thing to worry about, but that’s what seems to happen when you have the internal ‘working-mom’ battle! Thankfully I have an awesome husband who supports me in every way. ;)

How beautiful.

Great post Dana. Writing what ever is inspiring you at the moment works….See, no such thing as off topic. Great compliment indeed.

That is a special moment for sure! My favorite compliment (maybe not the best, but the one that makes me smile) is when I was washing my hands in a public restroom and an acquaintance said, “You wash your hands like a nurse!” Hahaha! It’s definitely not on par with yours, but it’s what comes to mind. :)

Haha! Isn’t it funny which compliments make us smile and leave a lasting impression?

:)

A young woman who was constantly in our house as a child and teen recently told me that what she remembers about our house is that it was always filled with sunshine, good music and kind words

My husband was traveling for work this week and sent me this text that had me welling up “When I’m away from him [our 20 month old son] I’m reminded how much the two of you are alike — not always easy, always worth everything, the most pure in heart and smart people I know”. It was just a good moment.

PS. He is right that I am not always easy, and that’s not a bad thing ;)

Your guy is a keeper. I do know the feeling. My husband tells me I’m “a class act” even in my jeans and baseball cap.
My best friend is amazed how I hold onto to secrets. When one is exposed she’ll say “you knew, didn’t you???”

Funniest compliment from an older gentleman: “You chew gum so ladylike!”

Beautiful!

i think it is so hard to take compliments – but what a blessing that steve shared those thoughts with you!

My mother told me, if there came a time she couldn’t care for herself, she would want to live with me. What a compliment, that she would trust me with such an important thing.