Monday - Trouble comes in pairs

[ninanevermore]

Today on my drive into work, I was thinking about a conversation I had this weekend with my husband.

"I can't believe," he said with amazement, "that I am almost 50 years old and I have a 3 year old." He turned 49 on his birthday last month; we didn't celebrate, per his request. The last birthday he got excited about was his 21st, and he is a firm believer that no birthday after that one is worth the bother.

"If you think we're too much trouble, or that you're too old for the task, I can leave you for a younger man," I said. Not that I would have any idea how to go about finding a replacement mate. Jeff and I have been together so long, I don't know how the dating scene even works anymore. I believe it involves placing an ad on Craig's List, but I'm not sure.

A soft, bemused smile spread across his face. "I wouldn't trade either of you for the world," he said.

I smiled back with my own version of his smile. "Okay, but next time you think we're too much trouble, just remember that I offered."

"Neither of you is too much trouble," he said.

I looked at him and tried to decide if he was lying or just crazy. My husband can't lie worth a damn, so it must be the latter. I know we're a lot of trouble, my little boy and me. We both leave our things laying about the house and don't put them away unless reminded and fussed at. Jeff is never certain how to please us because we change our minds on a whim, and then pretend he misunderstood us in the first place. We both put off bedtime as long as we can, even when we know we need to get up early. We giggle at things that aren't funny to anyone except us, and we both sulk when we don't get our way.

But Jeff thinks we're worth it. I suppose the secret to happiness is not finding a person who lives up to your expectations in a life partner; it's abandoning all expectations, and finding a person who can put up with you just the way you are. If this means they might be a little bit crazy, then so be it.



* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * # * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Comments

then so be it.

[regatomic.livejournal.com]

yep,.. just be yourself,..chaos will fill the empty spaces,..o.o

Re: then so be it.

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

There are no empty spaces; they were already filled with chaos when I got there.

[simplecity2htwn.livejournal.com]

No man in his right mind would consider it "too much trouble". Those are probably the things that make him most look forward to coming home at night.

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

We also make him curse like a sailor and drive him up the wall, too, though. I guess it all balances out. ^_^

[jenelycam.livejournal.com]

Very well put!!

And they must be crazy to put up with us...LOL Well, me anyway. And Greg? he's certifiable. :P

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

Love is just a benign form of insanity; no rational human being would accept the kind of sacrifices and suffering that people who love take for granted.

[jenelycam.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[in-a-silver-bag.livejournal.com]

I like your secret to happiness a lot.

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

I'm not as wise as I sound: it took more years than it should have to figure this out. ^_^

[noblwish.livejournal.com]

the secret to happiness is not finding a person who lives up to your expectations in a life partner; it's abandoning all expectations, and finding a person who can put up with you just the way you are.

oh, absolutely!

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

For those like thee and me, this can be a tall order for a man to take, cousin. Over the years, I personally have watched you drive many a man (not to mention many a roommate) absolutely bonkers. ;D

[hermes-wade.livejournal.com]

"Over the years, I personally have watched you drive many a man (not to mention many a roommate) absolutely bonkers."

Hey, I resemble that remark. ;)

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

That's 'cause it's a double whammy for you. I present you as both exhibit numbers one and two. ;D

[hermes-wade.livejournal.com]

"The last birthday he got excited about was his 21st, and he is a firm believer that no birthday after that one is worth the bother."

My brother-in-law feels the same way. :)

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

Since I forget birthdays as bad as any man, this works out perfectly for me, too.

[sidneymintz.livejournal.com]

I love the way you guys talk to each other :)

[neanahe.livejournal.com]

When we met, we were mutually attracted by each other's sarcasm and dry sense of humor. The rule of our relationship is that we aren't allowed to be mean to one on another (i.e., name calling), but we also know not to take each other too seriously.