Boy, sometimes I really do something right. Sometimes I can just look in the mirror and congratulate myself on a job well done.
Let me give you an example.
I did an absolutely outstanding job in choosing a husband.
No kidding. I rock.
I met my husband when we were 12 years old. We were in the seventh grade, can you stand it?
Of course, I don’t remember ever actually speaking to him back then, but I know that he was there. He played basketball and he came to the “luncheon” that the home ec girls made for the wood shop boys. He ate the pasta, and lived to tell the tale. He was a survivor.
Once we got to High School, we had a few classes together. Not math of course (he was smart), but I remember him being in some of my English and Social Studies classes. We didn’t socialize exactly, but I think I smiled at him a few times.
Then, once we all finally hit the appropriate maturity level, he was one of the group of kids who became my High School friends. Parties, football games, dances, concerts…..he was there for all of them. I have the grainy photos to prove it.
And for some mysterious and glorious reason, in the fall of my senior year, I suddenly looked at him with different eyes. As young and foolish and inexperienced as I was, I apparently had a moment of infinite wisdom and decided to turn my limited charms his way. I must have recognized, in some sweetly primitive way, that I had found a guy who would be worth the effort of luring and hooking. I don’t know what it was that gave me such advanced reasoning skills, but I applaud my sagacity.
I flirted, he noticed, and the rest is history.
We have been together for 40 years. (Oh, Jesus.) We have raised three kids and had our careers and learned all about life.
And I knew that I had done a really great job of choosing a mate. But this morning I had my proof.
I woke up late, rushed through my morning routine and headed out the door. A mile from home, my car began to make a sound like a Sherman tank on crack. I panicked, and gasped and didn’t have the slightest idea of what to do.
So I turned around and went back home. Because Paul was there. He looked at the car, he handed me his keys, he calmly assured me that he would take care of it. And without a second thought, I got back on the road, leaving my wreck behind me, in his capable hands. I didn’t have to question whether he would make it all better. I didn’t have to ask myself if he would be angry. I went to work and I faced my day and I taught my students and I knew, as I have known for 40 years, that a really great guy was there behind me, keeping me on track, making everything work.
I am amazing, aren’t I? I really do know how to pick ’em.
Empty Nest, Full Life 
I’m so glad to hear of someone who has a happy marriage. It’s rare and wonderful. You got ME beat too. I’ve only know Garry wince I was 16 and he 21 … and it took as 35 years to stop doing a do-si-do and tie the knot 🙂 Congratulations.
LikeLike
Really?? You knew each other all that time and then you finally fell in love? That is super romantic!
We really did get lucky back in high school, and I felt like Paul should hear me say it out loud.
LikeLike
I do love a love story. How wonderful to know that someone is there for you no matter what and you don’t have to wonder or worry about how they will respond to anything. They just do. Good, bad, and everything in between. 🙂
BB
LikeLike
The man is seriously a saint.
LikeLike
Great job of choosing. 🙂 And congrats on 40 years, from someone who is happy to soon be celebrating our 33rd anniversary.
So what does a Sherman tank on crack sound like? I hope it was easily fixable.
LikeLike
Congrats back at you! It isn’t always easy, but it sure has been worth it!
And trust me, if you ever hear a similar sound, you’ll recognize it! sort of a cross between “Is that the muffler/did my tire fall off” and “Oh, God, I just ran over a knight in shining armor!” But Paul is getting it fixed!
LikeLike
What a wonderful story! You did a great job luring and hooking! Never thought I’d call you a great hooker, but here it is. He is definitely one of the good guys!
LikeLike
Hahahaha!
Only you would catch that pun, Beth!
And I’d put you and Brian in that “lucky” category, too!
LikeLike
A wonderful story of a wonderful partnership. Congrats on forty years together. No doubt you’ve done more than choose a great husband, and made him just as happy.
LikeLike
thank you!
Sometimes it really feels unbalanced, especially lately as my teaching job is sucking up all of my time and energy. Then I remember all the years of being a working mother of three, and I realize that he probably owes me!
LikeLike
Awe he is a great guy! We love him too! I agree with one of your friends who said that she likes to hear about couples who are happy together and staying together, we are a dying breed. So congratulations on picking a winner:) He obviously thinks he did too!!!!
LikeLike
Big hug to another great couple! It ain’t easy, but is sure is fun, huh?
LikeLike
We don’t give our wonderful husbands the online credit they deserve; glad you took the time to do so.
LikeLike
I really really owe him for this save; luckily, I gave him three great kids and about a zillion home cooked meals. So maybe we are even!
LikeLike
Aw this is lovely. Congratulations. I bet he thinks the same about you lovely lady 🙂
LikeLike
He keeps pointing out the million home cooked dinners, and insisting that he owes me! I have decided that he’s right!
So good to hear from you, my friend!
LikeLike
Good for you. I only hope you didn’t tell him. Swelled heads are so unattractive, no matter what age 😉
LikeLike
Well, I wasn’t going to, but he read the blog.
Damn.
LikeLike
Tell him you were talking about your next husband …
LikeLike
Hahahaha!!!
Or that dream I was having about Bruce Springsteen….
LikeLike
Whenever my husband doesn’t want to do something I want to do, I fix him with a icy stare and announce that my next husband will … whatever. It used to make him uncomfortable. Now he just says “He’ll be quite a chump” which was, you will not be surprised to learn, NOT. The angle I was going for. Sigh…..
LikeLike