My husband and I met in the early summer of 2004. After a whirl-wind long distance romance, tons of plane tickets, bittersweet hello's & good-byes and many many minutes on the phone...we got hitched in Nov. 2005. It was a super traditional Naval Academy wedding and everything we hoped it would be. The point of the day was to promise our love and lives to each other before God and our God-loving family. We asked them to commit to helping us uphold those promises.
My parents are one of those sickening couples. Sickeningly cute, that is. They hug and kiss and talk nicely to each other. They are not perfect. I still hear my mom scream down the hallway "TAKE OFF YOUR MUDDY SHOES!!" as my dad tracks in godknowswhat from a fishing trip. But, in the end, he works hard, she works hard, they have a mutual love and respect and they are happy. Last time I was home, I had an ah-ha moment. It has stuck with me ever since.
They have been married for 30 years. More than half their life. They have been poor and not-so-poor. They parented 2 kids, became empty nesters, then parented again. They have had car accidents, surgeries, lost loved ones, vacationed in awesome places...they have lived. But, even through all the distractions, when my dad walks in the door from work, my mom literally drops what she is doing and runs to meet him at the door. They hug, kiss and somewhere in the mix, my 6 year old sister squeezes herself between them, much like my brother and I did. The site of it makes you want to cry and maybe throw up a bit. Its sweet...so sweet in fact that it gave me a reality check. What do I do when my husband walks through the door? I don't run, that is for sure. I am usually covered in babies or smashed avocado. Chessie, our dog, is the only one that greets him. Poor guy.
Recently, we have instituted "date night". Wednesday nights are just for us. The boys are in bed by 6:30pm. We make a nice dinner, dessert and usually watch a movie. We don't answer the phone or get on the computer. Its so nice to have that time to ourselves.
I have been whooping it up when he walks in the door. We missed him all day and he ought to know it. But, there is more we can do, I know there is.
I know a few people who read this blog have darling husbands who work hard. Can you share any good tips on keeping it spicy? Even things your husband does for you?
