I told a story yesterday at Brentwood about something my wife said to me recently. The response from people was unexpected. Are men really that empowered by their wives’ encouragement?

Here’s the story recalled: I sat at the kitchen table and clicked away at my laptop. Tammy was nearby wiping down a countertop. She stared at me. It was peculiar, because she was observing me, but I didn’t know why. Was she upset about something and I needed to solve it? Did I have chocolate on my face? What? Finally, I turned to catch her.

“What’s up?” I asked.

Then she said the words men kill themselves daily to hear. “I love you more today than I ever have in my life.” In other words, you’re the greatest husband in the world. Okay, at least to her I am.

Wow! Just like that she realigned my entire solar system. Her statement was defining. In such a moment I stood a thousand feet tall and was bullet proof. Kanye West could’ve interrupted with a cheap shot and I would not have flinched.

Don’t get me wrong, my wife has affirmed me plenty of times before, but this was so random. Nothing epic I had done surrounded her proclamation. In fact, the whole day was rather boring, but something about her love for me got stirred up and spilled over the edges. She went with it and I will never forget what she said.

So, let me answer the leading question for all men. Yes ladies, a man is vigorously affirmed when his wife tells him that she thinks he is all that and then some. And, ladies, if you think it will puff his ego and enable his bad habits, just stop and go with it anyway. Guys are a billion times more coachable on the other stuff when they have been built up first; not manipulatively, but from the heart and off the cuff.

Keep it up ladies. Build up and then coach up. We’ll be better men and the world will be a better place for everyone.