Why it works

This week, Jimmy and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary.  That's a long time, you know?  It means that we started dating five and a half years ago.  Five and three-quarters years ago, really, but who's keeping track?  It also means that we have put up with each other's shenanigans longer than anyone else probably would have, and that's enough reason to stick it out for another four years.  Or, heck, another 40 years.  ;)

I tried to think of concrete reasons that this thing, this marriage we have, works as well as it does, but it's a tough list to compile.  Anyone who's been there knows it's as much about what you can define as what you can't.  But, here's a sampling of reasons (from just this past week) about why it works:

It works because:  He builds me things, like the pergola, complete with furniture now.  I mean, I love this!  I'm so glad there's a fall season here and we'll be able to enjoy it a few weeks longer. 

It works because:  He buys me flowers, even when I tell him not to, because he knows I really still want them. 

It works because:  I like to cook, and we like to eat.  He is always more than willing to help in the kitchen, because the end result is yummy food in his belly.  (Usually it's yummy.  Sometimes I strike out.)  Tonight's dinner was a perfect example -- chicken tacos.  And yes, they're fried. 

It works because:  Our families love and support us.  And they get our goofiness.  We got lots of phone calls and cards for our anniversary, and it means the world that we were remembered.  These two cards came from my Nana (left) and my Uncle Jack and Aunt Evelyn (right).  Notice anything similar?  No, this wasn't planned.  They just have the same level of goofiness to send us cards that have dogs (because we are serious dog lovers) and bulldogs at that (because their smooshed faces are so adorable).  How random is it that, when choosing cards to mail, Jack and Evelyn and Nana chose such similar cards?  They totally get us. 

 

It works because:  He still thinks I'm cute as a button, even when I feel like an old cardboard box that's been overstuffed.  And I'm tired and I eat seven times a day.  Exhibit A:

(If you watch closely, the picture will grow along with me.  Or maybe that's just in my head?)

But mostly, it works because we... well, I don't know.  That must be one of those indefinable things.