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LATEST SUBMISSIONS

Love, Weed Whackers, and Measuring Cups

Wednesday, February 14 at 12:00 PM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Michelle Jansick

“Do you know who I love?” That’s a question my husband asks me almost every day and it always makes me smile. People are usually surprised when we tell them we’ve been married for over twelve years and I guess that’s because it’s obvious that we’re still crazy in love with each other. It’s really quite sickening.

We certainly don’t have all of the answers, and you’d know that if you were here the day we painted the den together (those of you who have done some remodeling know exactly what I’m talking about). But we have learned some things about love since the day we said “I do”… Love is saying “I still love you” after your wife scratches the front of your brand new big screen TV. Love is saying “I forgive you” when your husband accidentally erases every single one of your files off of the computer. Love is telling your husband “I’m sorry I called you a useless sack of poop.” Love is keeping your mouth shut instead of saying “I told you that you should’ve worn long pants” after your husband maims his ankles with the weed whacker. Love is saying “I was wrong and you were right” when you crash headfirst onto the sidewalk after calling your wife paranoid for insisting that you wear a bicycle helmet. Love is learning to hold your tongue and close your eyes instead of saying “You’re driving too fast.” Love is realizing that your husband doesn’t enjoy a guilt trip anymore than you do.

Love is buying your husband a treat after a traumatic trip to the dentist. Love is dropping your wife off in front of Wal-Mart so that she doesn’t have to walk in the rain. Love is cooking chicken noodle soup for your husband when he has a cold. Love is driving to the grocery store when your wife runs out of spaghetti sauce while making dinner.

Love is knowing not to ask your husband to do any chores during the Super Bowl. Love is taking out the trash instead of seeing how high you can stack it before it falls over. Love is saying “thanks for cooking dinner” even if the meal tastes like something you’d find in a litter box. Love is being thankful when you can’t find the measuring cups because it means that your husband put away the clean dishes. Love is realizing that just because your husband doesn’t do the laundry exactly the way you do doesn’t mean that his way is wrong. Love is saying, “thanks for working hard” when your husband leaves for work in the morning. Love is taking a break from whatever you’re doing in order to hug your wife when she comes home at the end of the day.

Love is saying “let me talk it over with my spouse” instead of committing each other to going somewhere or doing something that they might not want to do. Love is complimenting each other in front of your friends (and kids). Love is making your spouse a priority even if it means upsetting your parents or your boss.

Love is learning not to take it personally when your husband would rather spend an evening out with the guys than recite poetry while gazing into your eyes. Love is asking your wife, ‘how was your day?’ and then really listening to the answer. Love is describing your day in 10,000 words or less so that your husband’s ears don’t fall off.

Love is taking your wife to see a play when you’d rather be punched in the private parts.

Love is asking your husband ‘would you please go on a walk with me tonight?’ instead of expecting him to read your mind. Love is making time for making love because your husband thinks about it more often than you blink your eyes. Love is telling your husband why you’re upset instead of giving him the silent treatment or telling your friends what a jerk he is. Love is saying “I’m proud of you” and “I’m glad I married you”.

Love is remembering to do something special for your wife on Valentine’s Day. And love is forgiving your husband if he forgets.

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