Wedded Bliss!!!

I was listening to Rick and Bubba this morning and they were playing the segment of the guys were on Hannity last night on Fox News. They have a new book that has just been released called Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage. They made some great points on the show about being married and for those of you who listen to them in the mornings, you’ve heard some of their marriage/family stories.
Anyway, it got me to thinking about how marriage is often portrayed in such a negative light in the media and by so many people who mock and make fun of married life. I disagree with those assessments! I love marriage. I love my wife. I can’t imagine being single again and would never want to. Speaking of being single again, I’ve been there. Getting back into the whole dating thing, which I was never any good at in the first place, after being married really stunk. I remember one of the first times I actually called and asked someone out on a date. I had been assured by the girl’s sister that she was interested in going out with me and that she would say yes. I was still scared. So, I psyched myself up to call her one night. But, before I did, I spent an hour making a list of things to talk about should the conversation need a boost. She did say yes but I thought I might collapse from the sheer nervousness. It wore me out. I enjoyed the date but feeling like you are always having to impress someone can be draining. Especially when you’re me!

I met Gigi in November of 1995. I popped the question the following fall and we married on June 14, 1997. On a side note, she didn’t actually say yes when I asked her. Her immediate response was, “Are you serious?” She finally did say yes, though. With all the bumps and bruises and ups and downs, it has been the best 12 years of my life. Our marriage isn’t perfect. Whose is? Show me two people who say they have the perfect marriage and I’ll show you two big, fat liars! We do our share of arguing and being angry but you’ll never hear me tell someone how horrible married life is. I love it! It’s plenty exciting for me and there is not a single thing from my single life that I miss.

I suppose, like anything else, it is what you make it. You get out of it what you put into it. If you want to be miserable and continue living your life the way you want to with no regard for anyone else, then maybe marriage isn’t for you. It takes effort and patience and commitment to get through the rough spots and make it work but when you get past that rough spot…hey #1! I’m not saying that being single is bad. God calls some to singleness and the single life can be a fulfilling one. But to listen to your average person, marriage is one difficulty after another and is to be avoided at all costs. I disagree wholeheartedly.

Gigi and I were in a pretty good argument a few years ago before we had children. I don’t even remember what it was about. During the course of the evening’s events, I spilled a large fountain drink that had been sitting on the counter between the two of us. I went to the bedroom to change clothes and then, with only a pair of shorts on, came back to the kitchen to continue the festivities. As I said what I needed to say, I again headed towards the back, secure in my victory. Deciding I needed to say one more thing, I abruptly stopped. Or should I say, attempted to stop? My feet hit the puddle of spilled soda and in a flash, I was laying on the floor. I’ve never seen anyone go from standing straight up to being flat on the floor that quickly in my life. There was silence for a few moments. My hip hurt. I wanted to be angry and somehow blame Gigi. Then I heard the muffled sound of laughter. Then the loud sound of laughter. Then lots of laughter. And with that, the fight was over and a memory was made. YAY, MARRIAGE!!!

Marriage is good and I’ll fight the guy who says otherwise! Not really, though, because I don’t want to get beat up. But it is good!

Oh, and Happy Anniversary on the 14th, Gigi! I love you!