Post about a man.

It drives me crazy when Mr. Keller puts away empty bags of chips or cereal, or containers of mustard with one small squirt left. He does it all the time.

I listen to music way too loud. He's always turning it down.

When he clips his beard, he leaves black little shavings in the sink.

I can't count how many times I've been banned from touching the thermostat. He's even threatened to charge me $20 for every time he finds the heat above 75 degrees. Sue me.

Large, dirty man-socks left on the floor each night. Empty laundry basket five feet further.

I don't iron.

He doesn't do dishes.

I don't like to cook.

He loves homemade food.

This list is much longer and almost comical, all written out. It makes me laugh. But mostly, it helps me to see triviality for what it is.

In (almost) seven years, I'm realizing the time that's passed in between the day we moved into that little apartment of Filmore as newlyweds, to having two children together, to now, there's this pattern of growth. Looking back, it's so very marked. For all the times I've felt so strange side by side with my husband, so different and alone, a day or two (or a few more) down the road, we're somehow much closer than before. The symbol of infinity is a sideways figure eight. Together in the middle, and then farther apart at the ends. Then together again. There's no break in the figure. It's sort of like a dance, the symbol is. It goes on and on. I think that's the symbol for marriage.

For the 'things that make me crazy' list, there's a longer, better one, and on it are things that make me smile. Like how when the littles wake up too early, Mr. Keller lets me go back to bed, or how he runs to the store for me on the way home from work if I need something for dinner. Or how comforting it is to me when middle of the night blessings are needed and so readily given.

How comfortable and safe my husband makes me feel. I cannot imagine what my often anxious, worrisome self would do without that. Safety and peace is happiness for me.

There was once a time I wondered if God really knew what he was doing directing me in a path my heart did not want to go down. I'm infinitely grateful I followed where He lead me. He knew I needed Mr. Keller.

 

I've been thinking about this quote. I know I have this. I'm so blessed to be so loved.

 

“What really matters is that he will love you, that he will respect you, that he will honor you, that he will be absolutely true to you, that he will give you the freedom of expression and let you fly in the development of your own talents. He is not going to be perfect, but if he is kind and thoughtful, if he knows how to work and earn a living, if he is honest and full of faith, the chances are you will not go wrong, that you will be immensely happy.”

 

 

-- the sweet Gordon B. Hinckley.