Since it’s our 26th anniversary, I’ve been trying to determine what made this marriage thing work. It may be we are too busy to worry about the small crap. Yeah, she still says at church, “Let’s go,” and then ends up in a 15-minute conversation with someone. I have an uncanny ability for my cough drop wrappers to end up on the floor.
My wife’s job remains extraordinarily busy. Moreover, her mother moved from one retirement facility to another, which is in a much smaller space, in March. This involved my wife, with help from her brother, sister-in-law, and husband, to clear out the previous location. This was a real time suck, not just the cleaning out distributing stuff to other people if they wanted it. She also has additional fiscal responsibilities.
At church, I’m in the choir and occasionally read scripture or handle communion. She counts the money every four to six weeks, and there are always other things that come up. Weddings, funerals, medical visits, and one-off things fill the void.
Last year, my wife and I overbooked ourselves by getting not one, but two theater subscriptions: to Proctors and Capital Rep.. This coming season, we will only be doing the latter. Other things we’ve done in previous years, we have decided to forego because there’s no time.
We’re also trying to keep in contact with our daughter, who is only 7,845 miles away. Yay, WhatsApp.
FBH
As I noted last year, one thing that has continued to work is the full-body hug, which we do once in the morning before she goes to work and once in the evening before she goes to bed. She always goes to bed before I do.
This picture was taken at Chautauqua in the summer of 2024. We were very ambitious and went to both Chautauqua and DC. I’m waiting for the time when she retires; maybe we can actually relax. Or maybe not.
Anyway, she’s a great partner as we muddle through life. I love you, dear.
I am a proponent of the full-body hug.