In the years we’ve been together, I thought I knew everything about my partner, yet the man sitting across from me during our virtual meetings reveals a side I had never encountered before. Having shared 25 years as high school sweethearts, I felt confident in my understanding of him—until the pandemic introduced a new dimension: his “work laugh.” This unexpected burst of laughter, louder and livelier than anything I’d ever heard, made me realize how little I truly knew about the man I married.
Typically calm and reserved, my partner rarely shows emotion. He’s my steady counterpart, the yin to my yang, and I can count on one hand the times I’ve heard him raise his voice. I’m the one who tends to add expletives into casual conversation, while he might only roll his eyes in response to my antics. So, hearing him laugh so heartily during a Zoom meeting was a shock that left me questioning what other hidden facets of his personality I might discover.
New Traits I Discovered
As I observed him over the days that followed, several new traits emerged:
He’s left-handed (at work).
While I’ve always known him to be right-handed, I was surprised to find his mouse positioned on the left side of his makeshift office setup. When I asked about it, he casually said he was just trying to see if he could use his left hand. Surprisingly, he has been doing this for years. It’s a puzzling choice—why complicate life further? I can’t even navigate my touchpad without making it look like a toddler got ahold of crayons.
He has a work nickname.
At home, he goes by my endearing terms, but at work, he’s “Mike.” This name seems strange to me, as I’ve always known him as Michael. When did this alteration occur? Did a colleague mistakenly christen him Mike, or did he embrace this new identity? Hearing him respond to “Mike” feels as odd as when my kids call me by my first name instead of ‘Mom.’
He’s an office chair yogi.
While I slouch on our oversized couch, he maintains a perfect posture at the dining table. Even when I offered him a more comfortable chair, he declined, explaining that sitting on a bench helps him engage his core and correct his posture. To me, laziness is lounging in pajamas at noon, but apparently, he believes he’s exercising.
His memory is sharper than I realized.
What astonishes me most is how he recalls minute details during work calls while often forgetting my birthday, which is just two weeks after his. Whenever I need him to remember something, he simply says, “Email it to me.” Yet, he manages to remember intricate details from long meetings with astonishing clarity. I can barely keep track of my own tasks, while he multitasks seamlessly.
He treasures his office supplies.
As our dining room transforms into his chaotic workspace, I’ve discovered his collection of colorful pens, arranged in a neat rainbow. I’ve learned that I’m not allowed to touch them—ever. It’s good to know where my own supplies stand when he tries to borrow my scissors.
Mr. “Healthy Eating” has a sweet tooth.
After long days, we’d gather around the TV for dessert, with my daughters munching on cookies while I sometimes resorted to dairy-free ice cream. My husband, the wellness enthusiast, would munch on dates. When I heard coworkers talk about “Mike’s secret snack stash,” I had to investigate. It turns out, he collects gourmet treats from gift baskets for his department, creating a hidden treasure trove of sweets that I never knew about.
It’s challenging to reconcile the man I see during the day with the one I’ve known for so long. He looks the same—the oatmeal-loving, calm individual I’ve seen every morning. Yet, this quarantine has unveiled a vibrant work persona that I had never imagined. He interacts with kindness, listens earnestly, and manages a whirlwind of responsibilities with remarkable poise.
I can’t help but wonder if the daily commute had muted this lively side of him. Long hours in a demanding job may have kept him from revealing this part of his personality. This experience has made me appreciate the importance of work-life balance and how it might shape our future together.
As I uncover more about this man I thought I knew so well, I find myself falling in love with him all over again. This glimpse into his work life has been a surprising gift, and I hope that “Work Mike” becomes a permanent fixture in our home.
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In summary, my partner’s transformation during quarantine has unveiled a more dynamic, engaging side of him that I never knew existed. From his quirky habits to his surprising memory, this experience has deepened my appreciation for the man I love.