Editor's note: This article was originally published on Nicole Burkholder's blog, 365(ish) Days of Pinterest. It has been republished here with permission.

We just returned from an overnight couples' retreat held at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. I like to glean from the sessions when we go to retreats and then share what I learned with you. Usually, we will have a few sessions all together as a group, and then there will be a split session for the men and ladies. I ALWAYS wish I could go to the men's session instead! I am so curious to know what they are talking about and if the speaker really knows what women need and want! This year, the men's session had a handout, so when my husband shared it with me, I knew that I could easily share it with you!

Our meeting room was lined with these gorgeous Tiffany (yes, THAT Tiffany) windows overlooking a four-story rotunda. It was a little hard to focus on the speaker with so many pretty things to look at! Thankfully, my husband isn't so distracted by shiny things and he took good notes. So, what do women really want? Here is what was shared with the men during their split session. (Information was provided by Terry Randolph, Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona.)

How to love your wife. Learn to be a "couple."

C- Closeness

When the Bible talks about "cleaving" it means to cling to, to hold and to keep close. It encompasses more than sexuality - it embraces the spiritual and emotional needs as well. So how can a man get close to his wife?

• Hold hands

• Hug her

• Be affectionate without sexual intentions

• Laugh together

• Take her on a date

I know that the times when I feel the closest to my husband are when we are sharing a joke together. For example, during the middle of the last session, the speaker kept saying the word "duty" in relation to some point he was making. After saying it two or three times, my husband leaned over and whispered, "He's saying doody a lot." I just about lost it. It was such a stupid joke, but I swear, he must have said "doody" at least 10 more times! I got to that about-to-lose-total-control point and fortunately he moved on to the next topic. Meanwhile, my husband is sitting next to me grinning from ear to ear because he made me almost wet my pants.

O- Openness

Men tend to be more closed about things, whereas women want to be open. Women need emotional attachment and want to be informed about the details. So how can a man be more open?

• Tell her about your day

• Tell her how you feel

• Tell her the details

• Listen to her and pay attention

My husband wrote these notes to himself in the margin: "Don't say, It's fine. It'll be OK. Don't worry about it." He knows me well. Nothing irritates me more than when there's something we need to deal with (which means sitting down and hashing it out in painful detail to get things done) and he says, "Don't worry about it." So yes, we need details. It amazes me when he comes home from work and says he talked to his mom all the way home on the phone. It's over an hour commute, so I'll start asking questions like, "What did she say? How are things with them? What's going on up there?" and I end up with one or two word answers! DETAILS, MR.! We want DETAILS!

U- Understand

1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

Understand how valuable your wife is so you know how to treat her. This verse is not saying she's a weak vessel. It's a simile describing HOW you should treat her, not how she IS. You treat something fragile with great care, giving it a place of honor in your home. It's something of great importance to you.

Too many women get their hackles up when it comes to verses like these. Relax, ladies. Let him treat you like a queen, take care of you and protect you. It's what HE needs and I don't mind it so much, either.

P-Peace

Marriage is a series of compromises and concessions. So how do you live in peace with your wife?

• Let her vent her frustrations without getting angry

• Say I'm sorry and admit when you're wrong

• Understand her desire to compromise and meet her half way

• Don't nurse bitterness - let her know you love her

My husband has, "You can be right, or you can be happy" written in the margin. I'm pretty sure that's the part of the session when they were all guffawing. Or maybe it was when the speaker said, "Affection and food is better than being right and standing your ground." Hopefully, you aren't fighting over things that are all that important anyway, and it's OK to go ahead and give some ground for the sake of peace.

L-Loyalty

• Speak highly of her to other people (and let her hear you doing it)

• Keep your commitments

• Don't look lustfully at other women

• Give her priority

Knowing your husband is in your corner and isn't undermining you or speaking about you behind your back is so comforting. All men will look at other women, but knowing he's not going back for a second look but is loyal to you as his wife brings stability and longevity to a marriage.

E-Esteem

Your wife will feel esteemed (worthy, of value) when you do the following:

• Open and hold the door for her (it shows her and others that you value her)

• Teach your children to show her respect (they're not just disrespecting their mom, they're disrespecting YOUR girlfriend)

• Value her opinion

• Let her know you're proud of her

• Let everyone know you're a COUPLE.

My husband is great about telling me he's proud of me and what I've learned and accomplished with blogging over the last couple years. It's so nice to know that he's impressed and doesn't just think of me as a personal waitress, maid and nanny! I have value, I'm worth something in this marriage and I'm important to him. What woman doesn't want to hear those words occasionally?

So what do you think? Did the speaker get it right? I didn't see a single thing that I would disagree with in this list. I'm sure his wife helped him put it together. They have been married for 42 years, so I think they both have some insight into what works!