Being married or in a committed long-term partnership requires a departure from the fairy-tale notions portrayed in romantic films. The essence of marriage is the acceptance that you are making a lifelong commitment to someone who will see all your imperfections and, at times, feel compelled to highlight them.
My partner, Greg, isn’t one to shower me with traditional tokens of affection like flowers or jewelry. Instead, he expresses his love through his culinary skills every Sunday night, preparing mouthwatering dishes such as spicy chili verde, savory smoked ribs, rich French onion soup, roasted vegetables, or delightful homemade apple crisp. He dedicates his entire day to marinating and cooking, and with each delicious bite, I feel the depth of his affection.
Truths About Marriage
Over the years, I’ve come to realize several truths about marriage:
- Marriage involves enduring a documentary about gold mining, even if it means wrestling with the remote to avoid boredom.
- It’s about having a partner who gently urges you to exercise, even when you’d rather indulge in a donut.
- Sometimes, it means playfully flipping someone off when they’re not looking.
- Marriage is about anticipating the perfect Monty Python quote for any occasion, even if you’ve never seen the films.
- It’s the struggle to keep conversations about the kids at bay during date nights, only to fail spectacularly.
- It’s recounting how you both ended up in a particular situation, often with comically poor storytelling skills at dinner gatherings.
- It’s about pulling off a jump scare for fun or perfectly timing eye-rolls during awkward social moments.
- Cuddling can get uncomfortably warm, yet you still savor those moments a bit longer.
- It’s the challenge of resisting the urge to say “I told you so,” even when you desperately want to.
Marriage also means nurturing the simple joys, like whipping up a comforting chicken soup together. It’s walking hand-in-hand down an unfamiliar street in the rain, finally spotting a cozy pub, and realizing that there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. It’s the humbling experience of being wrong often and having someone kindly point it out.
Marriage can involve late-night wake-ups due to kids’ nightmares, unexpected loud noises, or even stolen blankets. It encompasses the rare nights when the kids are away at their grandparents’, allowing you to indulge in ordering burritos and binge-watching Netflix until you fall asleep on the couch. It’s about saying hurtful things and wishing for immediate forgiveness.
Looking ahead, marriage is about envisioning the future together—gray hair, wrinkled bodies, and perhaps even shocking the grandkids with risqué jokes while lounging in side-by-side recliners. At its core, marriage is about unwavering belief in your partner, even after witnessing their dance moves in the buff.
Ultimately, marriage requires letting go of unrealistic expectations. It can be messy, imperfect, and sometimes silent, but it also guarantees that someone is there to laugh at your jokes and reach that pesky itch on your back.
If you’re interested in exploring more about the journey of parenthood, check out our blog on how to use a home insemination kit. For those seeking guidance on managing a sick baby, Intracervical Insemination offers valuable insights. Additionally, for those navigating pregnancy and fertility matters, Mount Sinai is an excellent resource.
In summary, marriage is a journey of shared experiences—both delightful and challenging—that ultimately deepens the bond between partners.