My Wife
We've been married since 1978, but we were going out for
a couple of years before that. We both wanted to be out of college
before we were married. (Strange to think that I have known her
longer than I haven't known her.) Our wedding rings were
inscribed, "You Love I." We decided that the most
important part should be listed first.
I listen to the way some people refer to their wives. "The
old ball and chain." "The battle ax." Well, I
guess it's true that getting married changes your lifestyle. I
quit going out with the guys every night. I quit staying out
late. I don't consider chasing women anymore. (I said
"'till death do us part" in my wedding vows. I took that
seriously.)
It's not like we never had fights. We did. But we had an
agreement that we would never, ever go to bed at night when we were mad
at each other. It made for a few long nights, but we've always
kept to that agreement.
So, what, exactly, have I done for my wife all these years?
 | Put on plenty of weight. |
| Made her move around the country to follow my job. |
| Got sick enough that I got fired from my job and cut our income to
zero. |
| Snored so loud that she had to sleep on the couch some nights. |
| Became short-tempered when I'm working on a project. |
| Made a career change that forced her to find work and support our
family in a strange town with no friends and no contacts. |
| Forced her to become a single parent when I had to move across the
state for a year because of my career change. |
| Nearly killed myself in a late-night automobile accident. |
| Frightened her when I got cancer. |
| Became my best friend and cheerleader as well as my lover. |
| Stayed faithful to me for 20+ years, even though I
was not rich and
never would be. |
| Became more beautiful with every passing year. |
| Gave me a hug and a kiss when I needed
it -- and a stern lecture when
I needed it. |
| Willingly moved to new town after new town with me, leaving family
and good friends behind. |
| Gave me a couple of in-laws who became a second set of loving
parents, plus two sisters and a brother who are classy people and good
friends. |
| Became my mother's best friend and confidante. |
| Took over for my parents and me when my brother suddenly died of a
heart attack at age 38. |
| Became my mother's chief hospital nurse. |
| Took over for my father and me when my mother lost her battle with
cancer. |
| Became my father's most trusted advisor in business and personal
matters. |
| Nursed me back to health after my car crash. |
| Pulled closer and supported me when we were so far in debt that we were in tears. |
| Gave me two beautiful children, to whom she was, and is, a terrific
mother. |
| Gave me plenty of support, comfort, and nursing during my own battle
with cancer, even though she was as scared as I was. |
| Has remained cheerful and upbeat as she's battled her own set of
health challenges. |
No doubt about it, I got the better end of the deal.
I have watched her self-confidence and beauty grow throughout the
years. I am so proud of what she's accomplished I could
burst. She still lights up every room she enters.
And I'm baffled. What did she ever see in me? What does
she see in me now? A lot of women would have walked away from the
difficulties I've forced her to endure. But she hasn't. She
never even considered it. And she's still here. God knows
where I'd be if it wasn't for her.
You Love I.
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