We were at one of our favorite local restaurants last night, and we casually know the gay couple who own it. Today I was reliably informed they've been together 30 years, something I didn't know before. 30 years! What a wonderful model for our community.
One of the things I always do with my own partner is to speak many endearments, that are just for him and no one else. Every time I enter the front door I call out "Hello my love!" And "My love" is attached to almost everything I say to him. "Yes, my love," "No, my love," etc. It's like "my love" is his name, and I'll use it in public, too, even in non-gay settings, like stores, restaurants and whatnot. And I say other things as well, that I blush to repeat here.
Point is, I don't speak to him as if he were just some guy like a roommate living here. He's MY guy, my very special guy, and my speech tells him that.
I could itemize some other things I do with him, but I thought I would mention this one little thing, often overlooked. How do you address YOUR guy?
(BTW, he usually calls me "dear" and a few other things I'll refrain from sharing here, but no less affectionate)