I cannot believe that my husband and I will celebrate our 10th
wedding anniversary in a few months. It seems like just yesterday I
walked down the aisle in a beautiful beaded gown and flip flops. And
yet, it seems like decades ago that we were joined together by God and a
band of white gold. It’s really surreal stuff.
During these fleeting, yet dragging, years, I’ve discovered that
there are some unspoken rules of marriage. Want to hear them? Sure you
do.
1. Just nod and agree.
You may think that’s the stupidest idea you’ve ever heard, but
whatevs. Just nod your pretty little head and hope it works out for him.
2. Never say, “I told you so.”
It didn’t work out, did it? Well, don’t say a word. Because love.
3. Know when to shut your trap.
You may be a very vocal wife, but know when to keep your lips zipped.
Example: While your man is assembling your children’s . set in 102
degree heat, he’ll probably misplace some nuts, bolts and his sanity. As
the expletives flow from his lips like water, now is not the time to
ridicule his ridiculous work method or his lack of using the
instructions. Just take him some sweet tea and stay in the shade.
4. Keep your opinions about his family to yourself.
If you must recite the Serenity prayer every time you pull into the
in-laws driveway, only do it in your head. Never speak it in front of
him … while sobbing and clutching a Rosary.
5. Don’t threaten divorce everytime something minor happens.
He set his glass on the table without a coaster, but there’s no need
to draft an itemized list of what you want in the divorce (although
you’d let him keep the table with the drink ring). You’re not going
anywhere. He’s not going anywhere. Take the lawyer off speed-dial.
6. Don’t share intimate stuff with strangers.
Maybe a 30-second commercial lasted longer than last night’s s*x.
Maybe he got so drunk he peed in the aquarium. Maybe he lost his job
because of some trumped-up public indecency charges. There’s no need to
put it on . or tell all of your friends. Respect your man and know when
to keep private things, well, private.
7. No cheating (DUH.)
You don’t want him petting the Hooter’s waitress. He doesn’t want you petting anything. You know better. Just don’t do it.
8. Never stop celebrating together.
Who cares if you’ve spent the last two decades of holidays with the
same man? Celebrate them big each time, as if it were the first
Christmas, first Valentine’s Day, first birthday. As soon as you stop
celebrating together, sparks start to fizzle. Buy him some new Ray-Bans,
even though you know he’ll lose them within a month. Okay, a week.
9. Know the correct answer.
He should know how to answer, “Am I fat?”, and “Is she prettier?” and
“Is my lasagna edible?” And you should know how to answer, “Do you mind
if I watch football?” Who cares if you really don’t want to watch
football? That man ate your lasagna last night. Cut him some slack.
10. Follow the golden rule.
It’s quite simple really. Treat him the way you want to be treated,
and if he’s a good one, he’ll reciprocate the love and respect. But no
matter how often you hold in your farts, he’s never going to hold in
his. That’s life. That’s marriage. Accept it.
11. Remember: honeymoons don’t last forever.
They just don’t. Marriage takes a lot of hard work once the
butterflies die and the excitement dwindles. Love isn’t a feeling. It’s
an action. And by action, I don’t mean act all crazy and run away with
the UPS guy because your husband skid marked his undies. I guarantee the
UPS man has a few marks of his own. It’s a grass isn’t always greener
type thing, you know?

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