By Matthew Christopher

Sure, you give him a smackeroo on the cheek before he leaves for work, assure him he’s your one and only, maybe even call him at lunch to let him know you’re thinking of him. But when you really love the guy, what else can you do to be sure he feels it right down to his core?

Surprise him. Pack a wicker basket with a checkered tablecloth, a bottle of good wine, a corkscrew, and two wine glasses (real glass—no plastic!), and whisk him off for a little spontaneous after-hours moon-gazing in the park. Kick off your shoes, raise a toast to your wonderful partner, and thank your lucky stars out loud for his precious presence in your life.

Support him. If he’s having trouble at work, or with a family situation, ask what you can do to help make it easier on him. No need to rush in with the special forces and commandeer the scene, but let him know you’re both his ally and his cheering section, and you’re happy to help in any way you can. He’ll feel loved and cared for just knowing you’ve got his back. [$MSN.ARTICLE.CTALINKS$]Feed him. If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then don’t miss your culinary chance to let his heart know how you really feel. If he works late, make sure there’s something tasty in the fridge waiting for him when he gets home. If he loves slow, easy Sunday mornings with the newspaper and some classical music, slip out early and pick up some fresh melon and croissants to give his morning a more elegant flavor.

Celebrate him. Tell him point-blank how you admire the way he thinks, the way he takes care of himself, the way he runs his life. Compliment him on those great pants and that hot bod. Let him overhear you tell a mutual friend how proud you are of his job promotion, or how much you love his photos from the Paris trip you two took last spring. Do it up on his birthday. Make sure he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that you think he’s really terrific.

Spoil him. Surprise him with little spontaneous gifts, like a book or CD he mentioned he’d like to check out. Give him a shoulder rub at the end of a stressful day. Prepare a fabulous meal and serve it up by candlelight and soft music. Not a chef? Not to worry – good take-out will do just fine (just don’t forget to take it OUT of the to-go containers!). Wherever the gourmet fare came from, your efforts at creating a magical evening will let him know he’s truly treasured.

Listen to him. Give him your attention as he rattles off the details of his busy day. Hear him out when he has something on his mind. Take it in when he muses about his hopes and goals and dreams. Let him know you’re always there for him: not just as a lover, but also as a true friend.