If your spouse respects your opinions and feelings, they will listen carefully to what you have to say rather than engaging in self-centered dialogues. They are pleased with you. They are pleased to be your significant other because of who you genuinely are, not because of how you portray them to others. They love and care for you even when you don't show it. Respect is very important in a relationship. It helps maintain the connection between two people in spite of their differences. Without respect, relationships become strained because one party feels disrespected by the other. You should be able to talk to your spouse about your concerns and feel comfortable doing so. If you feel like you can't speak your mind or share your feelings with them, then perhaps this respect isn't being shown toward you.