Clarification: If want to make a man cry in the fetal position, you have the wrong site. But if you want to make your man tear up, choke up and swell up with emotions he hasn’t felt since he was a proud little boy with an unbroken spirit, read on. 

One year for Michael’s birthday, I found myself really struggling. I didn’t want to impress him with a big gift, I wanted to touch his heart. He was having a rough year and I felt that he really needed a reminder of what a phenomenal man he truly is.

I created a document. I wrote all the beautiful, amazing things about Michael that I wanted him to be always reminded of. Here’s a brief sample of what I did:

I ran out of room and had more to say, so I added a second page. I got as specific as I could, focusing on his character, ethics, personality and other unique things that constantly impress me.

I laminated it (as a single, double-sided page), then took him to Mastro’s Ocean Club for a super fancy dinner to compensate for his birthday present being a laminated piece of paper.

I’ll never forget handing it to him across the table… watching the transformation from skeptical curiosity to confusion to tearing up and shooing the waiter away because he was choked up and needed a moment to compose himself. When done reading it, he looked at me in wonder; as if I were the first person to truly, deeply see him.

He’s carried that laminated writing in his backpack ever since. He frequently tells me that he digs it out and reads it when he is having a rough day. Sometimes he randomly stumbles upon it in his bag… and it immediately brightens his soul and softens his spirit. 

No one wants to be taken for granted. No one should go through life feeling unknown or unappreciated. Be the person who notices. Show them how much they truly matter in this world, especially yours.

Ladies: There is one downside. Anytime you get mad at him, he will send you a photo of the document along with an annoying note like, “Just saying….”. 

Men: If you want your beloved to “get the hint”, just send her some other article I’ve written and casually tell her to check out my other articles. She will naturally gravitate to one titled, “How to Make a Man Cry”. And don’t forget – this works for ladies too. 🙂