I get it. I’m like your wife- I don’t do the words of affirmation thing, and that’s what my husband needs. He has to remind me, too, since it’s so counter to my personality (which is dysfunctional, don’t get me wrong). What’s easier for us is for me to remember to thank him every so often, which often transitions to compliments.

I think you would both tremendously benefit from couples counseling- I think you both just need to learn to hear each other and speak in the same language. Not to be cliche about it.