Men and women are just plain different, particularly in the way their brains work.  This difference is described in many ways.  Some say men are like waffles, women are like spaghetti.  Others say men are like a dirt path while women are like a major highway.  Chad and I use the term “boxes” – when his work box is open the others are closed and I can’t close the box for him.  On the flip side of that, my boxes don’t even have lids.  The book “Love & Respect” uses the word picture of twinkle lights (like Christmas lights) – if we’re a strand of twinkle lights, and a woman has one bulb out, the rest of them don’t work either.  But men can have just three working and they keep plugging along just fine.  For me, this is particularly true in my marriage.

If Chad and I are in a funk in our relationship, all of my bulbs are out.  I don’t function well at home or at work, with my kids or my friends, I’m just checked out.  Period.  End of story.  When our relationship is running smoothly, and we’re taking care of each other the way we’re supposed to, I can function well in every other area.

This week Chad has had to work a lot more than usual, somewhere along the lines of 10-11 hours a day.  This is most definitely not the norm at our house (and I’m SO thankful).  He gives me advance notice when it will be a late night, so I can mentally prepare.  When he gets home he’s tired, but not crabby.  When he gets home, I heat up supper for him.  This isn’t me showcasing our relationship, I just want to emphasize the importance of us both doing our part!  Marriage is work.  Hard work.  On both parties involved.  Marriages that last will not just happen on accident, you have to make it happen, and I promise you I am going to make it happen.  Then this morning Chad sent me a message that he misses me.  Awwww 🙂

So today, in spite of the fact that my husband has worked 34 hours in the last 3 days, my light bulbs are bright.  Because with the time that we have had together, we have been intentional.  We have taken care of each other.

I love you Chad.  You’re my favorite.  And we WILL be the last couple standing one day at a wedding reception to see who’s been married the longest.