Photographic Friday: Valentine's (Groundhog) Day

With Valentine's Day approaching, I have been thinking about my marriage (or, my relationship I should say.) I'm not really a person who buys into this commercial holiday because I express my love to friends and family all year long. I don’t expect a ton of special plans or spoiling (unless, we’re talking about the tennis bracelet I’ve been spying ;) but I do appreciate a card or a nice dinner at home. I am also a firm believer in actions. I truly believe actions speak volumes. Words are great, I love words, but they have to be backed up by actions. Valentine’s Day got me thinking about how people end up with each other and how they keep the love alive.

It’s no secret that Aaron and I hated each other when we met. I thought he was a moron and he thought I was a nasty bitch. Isn’t love grand? When we finally decided to take a stab at dating I was an ice princess. I really made him work for it and he never gave up. To this day, occasionally, we’ll say, “Hey Babe, I really hate you.” The other will respond, “Yeah? Well, you make me dry-heave.”

It's so easy to overlook all the things your partner does for you. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life and go through the motions of a marriage. I know this because occasionally it happens to us; I'll get mad because he didn't take the trash out, or, he'll get irritated because I put the empty Brita back into the fridge. Then, of course, there are the days that we just sit side-by-side watching the tube, completely exhausted from our day, not even realizing that we aren't speaking. I hate those times.

Those times, however, are few and far in between. Aaron and I have an incredible amount of fun together. We play 20 questions every night before bed, we ALWAYS greet each other at the door, and we have date night, EVERY Monday, no-matter-what. We’re often caught texting the other throughout the day to share juicy tid-bits or to say, "I miss you." We cook together, we travel together, and we play games, lots and lots of games. We recognize how important it is to spend time with our friends together (and separately), we spend time with our family, but we also spend time apart. To me, this is very important. I need “me time.” I think I need more "me time" than Aaron does, but he so generously gives it to me anyway.

My brother-in-law, Matt, took the picture below during our family’s Tanglewood trip in 2008. That year Aaron brought my engagement ring to one of the shows to present to his family for approval (I was in the bathroom.) I had no idea it was coming. We had talked about marriage, but it was a "someday, when we're married" type of talk. Before he had even bought the ring he had asked me several times to marry him (but not a serious proposal- a joking proposal) and I always teased and said "no" or "maybe." Looking back, he was probably testing me to see if I'd really do it. Good thing he took the chance.

Aaron is one of those guys who really "loves his wife." Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. The ones you can just see the adoration oozing from their eyes and you think to yourself, "Awe, he loves his wife" and that always makes the guy even more endearing. Well, Aaron absolutely adores me and he tells me everyday. It's not uncommon for him to say, "I can't believe you're my wife!" or "I can't believe you married me." And just the other night, when I was drifting off to sleep:

A: Cubby? Cubby? You awake? (I like bears, so he named me Bear Cub; Cubby for short, LOL)
J: Yes... I am now.
A: Oh. Sorry. Well, I love you. Goodnight!
J: Love you too. Night.
A: No, I really, really love you.
J: (tired sigh) I really love you too. Goodnight.
A: No, I mean, I love you so much. I love you more each day. I can't believe how much I love you. I had a good day with you today. Sleep tight.

Times like those are the ones I hang on to instead of the ones where my ultimate comeback is an exaggerated eye roll (he HATES that.) Those are the times I like to remember when I'm tiptoeing to the kitchen to get a knife to slit his throat ;) And those are the times I like to remember when I dare to question how lucky I am.

Celebrate Valentine's Day this Sunday and everyday. You won't be sorry.

I can't believe he married me!

(Drool)