About Marriage

I've been writing a lot about part of my life that I really love - being a mom. But I haven't written too much recently about my other major title that I love even more - being a redhead. joking. Wife. I love being a my husband's wife. With our two-year anniversary just around the corner, I figured it's a good time to bring back the topic.

I'd love to write a book about how to have a happy, healthy marriage. But there are already a zillion out there to choose from and I won't be bummed for mine to get lost in the mess. I will, however, recommend this one and share a few lists with you.

What's Great About Being Married To Steven:

1. When he gets home first, I usually find him doing the dishes rather than lounging on the couch. When I get home first, he doesn't get upset to come home to me lounging on the couch.
2. He employs the theory of Utilitarianism to decide things like who gets the single tomato in the salad or which movie we watch.
3. He takes care of the worst chore - cleaning the bathroom.
4. He'll eat anything - and like it. A plate of rice with some cheese on top is passable as dinner. Bake him a loaf of bread and he'll love you forever.
5. He teaches me things without making me feel dumb for not already knowing.
6. He is very rational and logical. A compromise acceptable to both parties is only ever a conversation away.
7. He controls his emotions. He doesn't yell.
8. He doesn't sweat the small stuff, or the large stuff - like being without water for 3 days when the pipes freeze.
9. He prefers to be home rather than at work. But he works hard and goes above and beyond at his job anyway.
10. He kisses me awake every morning and snuggles me to sleep every night.

I look up to this guy. Literally.

The Few Struggles We Have Had (and the solutions we've come up with so far):

1. Whether or not to buy pretzels. Shopping in general used to entail at least one argument because spending money stresses me out and Husband doesn't like standing around staring at all the options waiting for my indecision to go away.
   Solution #1: Don't shop together as often. #2: When there's a disagreement, buy the pretzels - less money is better than more fighting.
2. Whether or not eating a loaf of bread in one sitting is acceptable.
   Solution: Don't leave all the food out in plain sight if you want it to last longer than one meal.
3. Whether or not reading for pleasure is an acceptable weekend activity. As in the only weekend activity.
   Solution #1: Discuss weekend goals/desires before Saturday morning. #2: Read a book aloud together.
4. Whether or not it's acceptable to be "pesky."
   Solution #1: Be less "pesky." #2: Redefine "cute" and "flirty." #3: Occasionally just embrace it.
5. Whether or not a normal face should consist of a smile or a frown.
   Solution #1: Don't look each other in the face. #2: Be funnier to get more smiles.

Pesky.

So lucky blessed to be loving and living life with this guy. We thought we'd be too rational to ever have a "honeymoon phase." Either we were right (and our marriage is always going to be this blissful), or we're still waiting for it to end. Life is good.