On Friday, my awesome critique partner and friend, Melissa Tagg, wrote a post about why she loves men — and more importantly, about the fact that heroes don’t just exist in novels, but also in real life.
I thought I’d hop on the bandwagon and brag on my husband a little bit, talking about how he really does have characteristics featured in some of my favorite novels.
#1: Fitzwilliam Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice
Aside from being tall and a loyal friend, my husband Mike is extremely generous. Remember how Darcy spent time, money, and energy to locate Lizzie’s sister Lydia and make sure she married Wickham — even when it was pretty clear Lizzie wasn’t ever going to love Darcy? He went above and beyond, am I right?
Mike has gone above and beyond in so many ways to help other people. One way is by suggesting a friend and her baby stay with us for four months while her husband was in training for Border Patrol.
And you know his generous heart makes mine go aflutter.
#2: Peeta Mellark from Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series
If you’re a Gale fan, I apologize in advance — but I adore Peeta because he loved Katniss so much he was willing to die for her. He sacrificed for her. That is a true hero right there.
While my husband (thankfully) hasn’t had to put his life on the line for me, he has had to die to certain dreams in order to make my dream of being a full-time author come true. And that means more than I could ever, ever say.
#3: Michael Hosea from Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love
If you have not read this book, get thee to a bookstore, library, or Amazon. Of course, Michael’s character is based on the prophet Hosea, who God commanded to marry a prostitute and keep going back for her — a symbol that God will never give up on His people. In the book, Michael keeps going after Angel, even when she makes it clear she’ll never change and she doesn’t want to.
I’m grateful that my husband keeps coming after me emotionally, even when I shut him out. Even when my emotions don’t make sense and they frustrate him. Even when they have the power to hurt him.
Yes, my husband isn’t perfect — a good fiction hero shouldn’t be either — but he is a hero, nonetheless, and I’m so blessed to have him in my life.
Your Turn: What is your favorite hero trait in a guy, real or imaginary?
*PS: Thanks, Melissa, for letting me take your idea and continue it here!
Love this post. Your man sounds like a real hero. A hero you can depend on.
My husband has those same qualities. I couldn't do what I do without him.
Thanks for sharing this post. May your husband feel blessed by your gorgeous description of his qualities.
Awesome 🙂 I love kindness, melts my heart every time.
I loved this! What a sweet tribute to your man. 🙂 I love the fierce need to protect in a hero. Even when the heroine doesn't think she wants it. My husband is very much like that. I love it about him.
Hmmm. I love true friendship in a hero/heroine relationship, like Peeta/Katniss. It's not all about fireworks, it's about marrying the one you can see yourself laughing with in the nursing home. That's my gold standard, and the one my hubby meets and then some. Thankful for men who love us the way we are!
Commence crying jag now….
Love it, Lindsay! One of my favorite heros is Marcus from Mark of the Lion series. When Hadassah was maimed and no longer beautiful, Marcus still loved her, because he loved her heart. My own hero has loved me no matter how ugly I've been (in body and soul). There have been many times when I've wondered how he could still love me, when I've struggled to love myself…and yet he still does.
Loved this post, Lindsay! Your examples are all great for showing heroic qualities. My honey is very supportive and has sacrificed so that I can write and go to conferences. He helps me think through my story, and reads male POV's to make sure they're not too female. 🙂
He makes me laugh, he listens to my struggles and fears and speaks words of truth to help me regain an accurate perspective. He's my best friend. I love being married to him. 🙂