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Hi, I am personally struggling with something I try hard not to show. I do my best to keep it together, but sometimes it consumes me. I am in my mid 20 and have been with my spouse from the time of first date to now for several years, but less than 10 total. We are temple married and do have children. All of my life I have yearned for and craved deep physical affection and closeness. I am coming to realize that it's not been possible for my spouse to show me this kind of attention and it really hurts. I know it's not all about me and my children and others are important, but I am struggling to keep this inside. I hear of others that get this kind of attention from their wife/ husband and it bothers me a lot. It's like I can literally feel my heart aching and wanting more. I do express this need in a way that won't hurt his feelings and he just laughs it off and makes everything a joke. We do have sex, that is not the problem, but the lack of deep emotional connection is. He might not need that, but I do so badly. Maybe I am more of a passionate person than he is, but shouldn't he be trying to meet my needs as I do his? It bothers me to the point that sometimes my mind wanders down paths that it probably shouldn't, but I literally feel like a plant that is getting plenty of water, but left in the dark and just wants to bask in the warm sunshine to grow and bloom. I always think back to the fact that most of my life I grew up without a father figure and wonder if maybe that's why I seem to crave this affection and attention?! Maybe not, but it's always in the back of my mind. I will be out and about and see a guy that is slightly older than me and attractive and just think in my mind, " I wonder if he would give me the attention I feel like I deserve?" I know this isn't right and sounds slightly crazy but it is the truth. I do love my husband and we have faced some challenges in our marriage and had to spend time apart before that was beyond both of our control for his work. I get even worse during these times. I just feel like things are just on his terms and my needs will always be second. I have experienced closeness like this with past boyfriends so I kind of know what it is that I am missing and it's a lot for my heart to handle. I have spent many nights with tears down my face and my heart in prayer to my Heavenly Father...I normally just get over it in the morning and spend my time and energy in service to others and my children. Any advice on this situation would be appreciated.