happy wife, happy life
I have a very happy husband. And this isn't me being biased. I think anyone that really knows Ryan could attest to that. He's just a happy guy, through and through, no matter WHAT. And I believe I've witnessed him as he's experienced enough "WHATS" to say this in print all over the WIDE, world wide web without any reservation. I guess all our research on how to prevent him from being shark bait got me thinking all sentimental and stuff. :) Sorry to make things mushy. I wish I could claim responsibility for his bright outlook on life...I mean, you know what they say..."happy wife, happy life."
Actually, truth be told, that statement has never sat too well with me. Maybe because I'm usually reminded of it in the midst of just wanting to be cranky for a moment, gosh darn it! Maybe it's because I have a very strong opinion that the way we're feeling is ultimately our own responsibility and ours alone, and no one can "make" us feel one way or the other. Maybe it's because I'm a woman and a mother and a sister and don't we already have enough weight on our shoulders as it is? How could we possibly be responsible for our adult husband's happiness too?! Or maybe I've just misinterpreted the entire statement and I don't need to get all worked up over it after all.... We'll go with that last thought.
While it is true that I have a very happy husband, I also have a husband that lives to make me happy. I think a lot of us do (I'll do my best not to go all Dr. Laura here). This doesn't mean that he never smacks his gum, or that his shirt is always ironed, or that he always says the right things, or that he has never brought his sandy and stinky, wet wetsuits through the house, or that he would rather stay at home and watch "My Fair Lady" while snuggling with me on the couch than go paint balling with his buddies, or that I've never had to remind him about a Valentine's day, or that he has never given me golf clubs for my birthday or a kayak for Mother's day, or that he wasn't two hours late to our wedding without a phone call (there is a story there before you all go hunting down my husband! ) I could go on, really. I've got lots where those came from........ but I think I'll stop now. :)
Yes, of course, when I make the choice to be happy in spite of all the little lovelies of marriage, it certainly makes his life more pleasant. And yes, I recognize the importance and power of a woman's role there. But it isn't my being happy that makes him the happiest... It's his FOCUS on making me happy that makes him happy. Yeah, of course he misses the mark sometimes (note to men: a kayak does not a good Mother's Day present make) but I'll forever be grateful for the example that Ryan has set of what I like to believe is the real meaning of the statement "happy wife, happy life." If we put each other's happiness first, regardless of how the other person may respond to us, "happy life". It's us changing that makes us happy...not the other person's reactions that are changing us. Soooo.... after all that, I guess I'm kind of stating the obvious or maybe just making myself more confused. I just needed to at least attempt to spell it all out as a personal reminder of how blessed I am. Today Ryan spent his few hours off from work outside washing and vacuuming my car so that the kids and I can go away for the weekend. He has to stay behind while we'll be off enjoying a little vacation. And while he will miss us and wishes he could come along, he wants to make sure we have a fabulous time. I think I want to be more like him when I grow up....minus the gum smacking thing! Gum smacking has never looked very handsome on me.
Actually, truth be told, that statement has never sat too well with me. Maybe because I'm usually reminded of it in the midst of just wanting to be cranky for a moment, gosh darn it! Maybe it's because I have a very strong opinion that the way we're feeling is ultimately our own responsibility and ours alone, and no one can "make" us feel one way or the other. Maybe it's because I'm a woman and a mother and a sister and don't we already have enough weight on our shoulders as it is? How could we possibly be responsible for our adult husband's happiness too?! Or maybe I've just misinterpreted the entire statement and I don't need to get all worked up over it after all.... We'll go with that last thought.
While it is true that I have a very happy husband, I also have a husband that lives to make me happy. I think a lot of us do (I'll do my best not to go all Dr. Laura here). This doesn't mean that he never smacks his gum, or that his shirt is always ironed, or that he always says the right things, or that he has never brought his sandy and stinky, wet wetsuits through the house, or that he would rather stay at home and watch "My Fair Lady" while snuggling with me on the couch than go paint balling with his buddies, or that I've never had to remind him about a Valentine's day, or that he has never given me golf clubs for my birthday or a kayak for Mother's day, or that he wasn't two hours late to our wedding without a phone call (there is a story there before you all go hunting down my husband! ) I could go on, really. I've got lots where those came from........ but I think I'll stop now. :)
Yes, of course, when I make the choice to be happy in spite of all the little lovelies of marriage, it certainly makes his life more pleasant. And yes, I recognize the importance and power of a woman's role there. But it isn't my being happy that makes him the happiest... It's his FOCUS on making me happy that makes him happy. Yeah, of course he misses the mark sometimes (note to men: a kayak does not a good Mother's Day present make) but I'll forever be grateful for the example that Ryan has set of what I like to believe is the real meaning of the statement "happy wife, happy life." If we put each other's happiness first, regardless of how the other person may respond to us, "happy life". It's us changing that makes us happy...not the other person's reactions that are changing us. Soooo.... after all that, I guess I'm kind of stating the obvious or maybe just making myself more confused. I just needed to at least attempt to spell it all out as a personal reminder of how blessed I am. Today Ryan spent his few hours off from work outside washing and vacuuming my car so that the kids and I can go away for the weekend. He has to stay behind while we'll be off enjoying a little vacation. And while he will miss us and wishes he could come along, he wants to make sure we have a fabulous time. I think I want to be more like him when I grow up....minus the gum smacking thing! Gum smacking has never looked very handsome on me.
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Have fun on your vacation!