Strange combination, right?
Because how can someone love you but not like you?
But it’s the truth.
Love and like are not the same thing.
Love can make a man stay.
It can make him protect, provide, and even sacrifice.
But liking you is different.
That one is about enjoying you as a person.
Wanting your company and choosing to spend time with you because he actually likes who you are, not just because he feels obligated.
That’s why some women will tell you, “I know my husband loves me, but sometimes I don’t think he likes me.”
And they’re not wrong.
Because it’s very possible for a man to love his wife but no longer enjoy her presence.
And when that happens, marriage becomes like a responsibility instead of a relationship.
So how do you know the difference?
Here are the signs your husband may love you but doesn’t actually like you:
5 Signs Your Husband Loves You But Doesn’t Like You
1. He Does His Duties but Avoids Your Company
Of course, when a man loves his wife, he provides.
He fixes things in the house, shows up at family events, pays school fees, sorts bills, and drives the kids around.
All the duties are sorted.
So you can’t accuse him of being irresponsible.
But then, liking you is not about duties.
That’s about choosing your company when he doesn’t have to.
So if you notice, he’ll pay the bills but never sit with you to gist…
He can drive you to an event, but won’t sit next to you during the event or even fix your car, but never wants to take a drive with you just for fun…
That’s love without like.
Because like makes a man seek you out, even when there’s nothing to do.
Love might keep him in the house, but like makes him actually want to hang out with you in it.
A husband who likes his wife doesn’t just show up out of duty; he shows up out of desire.
So, duty or desire?
2. Conversations Feel Like a Chore
You know that stage in marriage where the conversations become strictly about keeping the home running?
Bills, groceries, kids, responsibilities… Yeah, those are important.
We can’t escape them.
But a marriage without like will be all about that.
No funny banter.
No silly debates about who makes the best meals or who snores the loudest.
When a man likes you, he wants to talk to you about everything, important or not.
He’ll send you memes, he’ll share random thoughts, he’ll laugh with you about something silly that happened at work.
But when he doesn’t like you anymore, every conversation feels like you are bothering him.
He gives short answers, one-word replies.
He doesn’t ask questions, and even when you bring something up, he looks like he’s waiting for it to end.
Love can make him stay married to you, but if he doesn’t like you, he’ll stop talking to you.
And communication is the bloodline of intimacy.
3. He’s Polite but Distant
If you complain about this to anyone, you’ll look like a problematic wife.
Because your husband is respectful.
He doesn’t insult you.
He doesn’t embarrass you in public.
He even says “please” and “thank you.”
But look deeper.
There’s no warmth.
No spark or laughter.
It’s like being married to a polite stranger.
He’ll do what’s required of him, but there’s no extra.
He won’t hold your hand in public.
He won’t sit close to you when you’re watching TV.
He won’t lean in to whisper a silly joke in your ear.
And that’s because liking someone brings playfulness, familiarity, and closeness.
No woman wants a polite but distant husband.
What’s the point?
4. He Chooses Others Over You
Don’t get me wrong.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t have his own space.
Everyone needs alone time.
Everyone needs their people outside the marriage.
Marriage doesn’t mean his whole life should revolve around you, and it doesn’t mean you should be glued together 24/7.
But balance matters.
Because why does he always have energy for everyone else but never for you?
Yeah, he may still love you, he’s committed, he’s there, but he doesn’t like you enough to choose you for joy.
Men who like, not just love their wives make them their first safe space.
She’s the one he wants to gist with when something funny happens.
She’s the one he calls to share random nonsense that made him laugh.
She’s the person he wants to relax with, not just the one he shares responsibilities with.
If you’re not his go-to person for joy, you’ll feel it.
And that’s the difference between being loved and being liked.
5. There’s No Playfulness
I recently saw an adorable video on TikTok of husbands’ reactions when they sight their wives.
It was so lovely to watch.
Grown men turning into little boys at the sight of the women they love.
The smiles, the teasing, the goofy laughter… it melted my heart.
That’s what playfulness does in marriage.
It keeps you young at heart.
When a man likes his wife, he doesn’t just act like her provider or protector; he becomes her playmate.
He jokes with her, teases her, makes silly faces, and even dances for her.
But without that playfulness, everything becomes serious: bills, chores, kids, responsibilities.
No laughter.
Playfulness is proof that he likes being around you.
That he enjoys your presence, not just tolerates it.
So if you can’t remember the last time your husband laughed with you until tears came down his face… or the last time he tickled you, teased you, or just acted silly around you… Don’t take it lightly.
Because marriage without playfulness is like food without seasoning—it can still fill you up, but it doesn’t excite you.
Love makes a man stay.
Like makes him stay happily.
Marriage needs both.
Love without like feels like a prison.
Like without love feels like a fling.
But when both exist, that’s when marriage becomes sweet and fulfilling.
So if you recognize these signs in your husband, he may still love you deeply, but it doesn’t mean he likes you.
The sweetest marriages are not just husband and wife; they’re best friends.
They love each other, yes.
But more importantly, they like each other.
So, How Do You Fix This Problem?
The good news is that love is still there.
And as long as love is alive, like can be rekindled.
But it won’t happen by accident; you have to be intentional.
Here are a few ways to fix it:
1. Bring Back Friendship
Remember when you were dating?
You weren’t just partners, you were friends.
You teased each other, went on dates and outings, laughed over silly things.
That’s the energy you need to revive.
Don’t let your marriage be all about bills and responsibilities; make room for fun again.
2. Communicate Beyond Business
If every conversation is about groceries, school fees, bills, and chores, no wonder your marriage is dry.
Start asking about his dreams, his thoughts, his ideas.
Share your own too.
Keep the curiosity alive.
Couples who talk like friends rarely drift into disliking each other.
3. Create Space for Playfulness
Sometimes, you have to choose to be playful.
Watch funny movies together.
Share memes.
Dance in the living room.
It doesn’t have to be serious..
Just light moments that remind you both why you like each other.
4. Check Resentments
Often, “dislike” in marriage comes from unhealed wounds.
If there are lingering hurts or unresolved fights, they create emotional distance.
Be honest about them.
Talk, forgive, and heal.
5. Prioritize Couple Time
You can’t like someone you never spend quality time with.
Date nights, weekend breakfasts together, even short walks, make time for just the two of you.
No kids, no phones, or any other distractions.
These things matter.
Fixing this problem isn’t about doing nig things; it’s about going back to the basics: friendship, laughter, curiosity, and quality time.
It’s not enough for your husband to love you; he has to like you.