Since the beginning, my husband has proven that he has the "staying power" necessary to make our marriage work, and that he takes his wedding vow, "For Better Or Worse," very seriously. Obviously trust, understanding, respect for one another, loyalty, good communication skills and patience play a big part in a lasting relationship, but it goes beyond that. In many cases, it's the little things that are the glue that keep a couple together. Forget about sappy Hallmark cards or the wilted flowers from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. If your man is truly in it for the long haul with you, he's proven it by doing some of the following things:

2.) Goes to the convenient store in the middle of the night to grab a box of tampons for you even though he's the only man in line without a six-pack of beer and a case of Marlboro cigarettes.
3.) Walks the dogs when its raining outside so that you don't have to get wet (or get peed on).
4.) Gives up his tickets to a hockey playoff game to stay home and help you eradicate the colony of lice that have taken up residence on your seven-year-old's head.
5.) Plunges the unidentifiable thing in the toilet that NO ONE claims is theirs.

7.) Endures watching a girly movie with you and isn't afraid to tap into his feminine side by shedding a few tears during the show (or maybe he's just crying because you ate the last of the buttered popcorn).
8.) Doesn't mind picking up the kids from their after school activities when you're running late. Never mind that he also enjoys embarrassing the kiddos by dancing in his seat when a Pitbull song comes on the radio.
9.) Kills every cockroach and spider you find in the house. This has nothing to do with the fact that your loud shrieks break the sound barrier and cause his ears to bleed whenever an insect crosses your path.

11.) Offers to clean the house when you're frantically working to meet a deadline. If he rearranges the kitchen and switches everything around in the pantry, just smile and thank him. Does it really matter if your favorite pasta is hidden behind a large box of mothballs?
12.) Holds your hair away from your face when you're barfing the questionable sushi you had at the all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet he insisted on trying.
13.) Retires to the couch for the evening so that his snoring won't keep you awake. Then again, he might just be afraid that you'll cover his face with a pillow if he snores while sleeping next to you.
14.) Scratches that place on your back that you can never reach when it itches. But don't be surprised if his hand wonders elsewhere during the process. He might have an itch that needs scratching, too.
15.) Lets you drive the newer car in the family while he putters to work in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car that should have been put out of its misery ten years ago.
I've heard countless women complain that their men don't bring them flowers or candy to show their appreciation. Ladies, you can keep your roses and chocolates. I'd rather have a man who finds angry porcupines attractive and has great plunger skills.
***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? I am thrilled to have my first article featured on Parent.co this week! Check out my funny NEW post on dealing with the dreaded HEAD LICE! Eek! You can read it here: http://www.parent.co/the-5-stages-of-head-lice-from-denial-to-depression/
Thanks for an awesome reminder that romance can look different than we normally think. No wonder you have survived 32 years! Great post!
ReplyDeleteRomance certainly is NOT what is portrayed in the novels, right? Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMazal tov on surpassing that 32 year mark. Only 32 more to go!
ReplyDeleteYes, God willing, ha-ha. Thanks!
DeleteI love this!! It reminds me of my mom and dad!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet they've been married quite awhile, too--and have a good relationship!
DeleteLove, love, LOVE this! This is what love and marriage are all about. The man changing bedsheets while you comfort a sick child. The man who goes to work EVERY DAY to a job he really doesn't enjoy so you can follow your heart and do what you love. The man who gets up and brings the baby to you to nurse and then takes her back to her bed when she's done so you don't have to get out of bed. These men are true heroes.
ReplyDeleteYES! You have married a hero as well!
Delete32 years? Oh, you're blessed. Congratulations. You've got yourself a true gem there.
ReplyDeleteThank you---yes, he really is!!
DeleteGreat post, Marcia. A guy who walks through the trenches is worth his weight in gold. How about a guy who walks in the door from a long day and immediately tackles the wifi that has been out? Or a guy who does all of the heavy lifting because everyone else in the household is a female, including the dog? Or a guy who tries to figure out sizes and buy his girls clothing and shoes, even though he hates shopping?
ReplyDeleteYou've got yourself a wonderful gem too, my friend!
DeleteI really like this and have ALWAYS said that if a man was trying to woo me with roses, I was not going to be a happy woman. LOL. I am not conventional. I would much rather have real love than have love that was superficially contrived.
ReplyDeletehttp://viabella-thebeautifullife.blogspot.com/
Amen to that!
DeleteLOVE this, Marcia. What a great list and a great guy! My ex didn't do any of those things LOL (o.k. maybe 1 or 2)
ReplyDeleteSadly, there are a lot of men out there who neglect to do the little things that really do matter in a relationship.
DeleteAhhh this is just a wonderful reminder-- thank you x
ReplyDeleteThank you---I'm very lucky to have this man.
DeleteThe plunger thing alone makes him a keeper in my book!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
Thank you, Karen. He really does have excellent plunger skills!
DeleteThanks for acknowledging the importance of great plunger skills.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you're handy with a plunger, too. :)
DeleteSounds like you have a keeper! A wonderful man and a wonderful husband.
ReplyDeleteThanks---he certainly is!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! It sounds like you really have a keeper than. In past pre-marriage experience, men just don't sacrifice too many things for their women. As a matter of fact, in speaking with friends, their hubs don't now. I'm sure none of us need to tell you have lucky you are. Keep the fire burning!
ReplyDeleteB
You betcha! Thanks!
DeleteAaaww, I love this post! I so agree with you. Flowers will die, but a man who's heart will take care of you is love. Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully said---thank you for sharing!
DeleteTim and I have been married 32 years next month he doesn't do things like this never has and doesn't have a romantic bone in his body but I still love him he is a pain in the ass but he is my pain in the ass. Yes he is a tight ass with money but can at times be very generous I know he loves me and I love him I can't imagine my life without him
ReplyDeleteVery sweet. Love exists in all forms, all ways. I'm happy for you <3
DeleteThis is truly beautiful! My hubby and I had our 5th wedding anniversary on the 6th August and I can really relate to what you have said... even though I am sure about 30 odd years will make the journey much more interesting and trying.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby does show that he loves me in the oddest of ways. I think it is about learning how he shows his love and appreciating what I get and I do get a lot.
That's the key to keeping a happy marriage! :)
DeleteI loved reading this Marcia... your husband sounds like a really good man... being there for you in tough times is the most important thing in an honest and open relationship ♡♡♡
ReplyDeleteI couldn't survive without him.
DeleteYour hair looks cute. Happy Anniversary!! And yes, yes, yes, it's the everyday things. The lice thing (major brownie points)...or making dinner when you are wiped out would rock. You're very lucky to have it.
ReplyDeleteThan you---I feel very blessed!
DeleteGoodness! Relationship goals. :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is.
DeleteI love the list, but it's left me feeling a bit of a monster husband! I don't really do any of these things apart from number 9, although I don't actually kill the spiders, but just throw them off the balcony.
ReplyDeleteAt least you're getting rid of the spiders----that takes bravery!
DeleteMy husband does random things to show me he loves me, but only 2 of the things you listed :D Good read, though!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hey, as long as your man does a few things to show that you're appreciated, that's all that matters! :)
DeleteThis is a great post! Congratulations for the long haul! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. My husband isn't into cards, flowers, and jewelry, but he does so many wonderful daily things for me. Finding him was worth the wait.
Then we are both truly blessed! <3
DeleteCONGRATSsssssssssssssss!
ReplyDeleteWhat an accomplishment.
Kids nowadays don't stick it out, do they?
You are both beautiful together.
PS. I agree about the flowers and chocolates. Mr. L is romantic in other ways, like, just loving me "the way I am!"
we have our 5th anniversary this weekend, and one of my biggest lessons in marriage is to always look for the ways he shows me he loves me. theyre always there. such a sweet piece xo
ReplyDelete