A Sweeter Kind of Romance, and News!

As some of you may know, I write a biweekly humour column for a local paper. Occasionally I place a few on this website under the heading "Laugh at Life".

I've just learned that the following article is being postponed, so I decided that I'd send it as an email to all of you--the readers I appreciate so much!

A SWEETER KIND OF ROMANCE

We’ve just celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary. I won’t share a picture of the day we started our journey together because our grandchildren gawked at us in doubtful horror when we showed them. Obviously, more than four decades has distorted a few things.

I recently had lunch with some friends I don’t see often. We spoke about our families, relationships, and life in general. One of these precious few has, and is, suffering more health challenges than most, but she’s retained her outstanding sense of humour. At one point I spouted off the obvious: “I don’t think we realize the seriousness of the vows we say on our wedding day. You know—the “for better or worse” and “in sickness and in health” ones.” She immediately shrugged and stated, “I told my husband—that’s what you get for not writing your own vows.” I laughed so hard I feared spewing the water I’d just gulped. It’s one thing to say “marriage is hard” when the struggle isn’t quite so real. It’s another to keep laughing and sticking it out through many a storm.

Some say romance dies over the years, but I say--it isn’t dead! It just looks different, and we must appreciate it for the reality it becomes. Here are a few examples:

It’s after his phone is fully charged, and he quietly hands you the charge cord so you can plug yours in. Or he pauses his charge so you can use the cord first.

It’s when you’re hating your laptop because it’s lost an important file you know is on there. Before your volcano bursts he loudly sighs, grabs it, and finds the lost file.

It’s when you’re at the camper and the sewage tanks need emptying. He asks you if you’d like to learn this procedure, but you respectfully decline his polite offer. He then asks the age-old question, “If something should happen to me what will you do if you don’t acquire this skill?” You immediately throw out the name of some guy that you’re sure will find pity in his heart to help you out. Your husband empties the tanks, and never asks you to do that again. 

It’s when he can’t find his phone so, before his blood pressure rises, you call it so it’s easier for him to locate.

It’s when he’s offered you the chance to mow the lawn—for the ten thousandth time—but you smile your thanks knowing he doesn’t really mean it. Then you give him the appropriate amount of accolades later, as you smell the sweet aroma of freshly-cut grass.

It’s when he insists that buying a different, more expensive kind of barbecue will make outdoor cooking so much better, and you allow him to do just that … for the entire season.

It’s when you go for your yearly lab work-up together. You drop off both your poop samples, and then get your blood drawn one after the other. But the real romance is felt when you exit the bathrooms at the same time and snuggle your individual pee samples side-by-side in the lab fridge. 

It’s reading something to him just to see how it’ll land, knowing that he’s not the least bit interested. He smiles and nods anyway—probably so you’ll stop reading—but he’s still present in body, if not in mind. 

It’s in the determination to find something you’ll both enjoy doing together after you retire. Out of all the sports he watches you choose the one you’re guessing you’ll be able to best stomach—every day. Then you research every player on that team so you can act remotely interested when you watch that sport—every day. 

Truthfully—keeping to those vows includes a lot of give and take. It’s playing the long-game—sticking it out when every other game seems to be called on account of rain. And yes, baseball is the sport I chose. But guess what? I’ve learned to love it! Go BlueJays!

Time and experience changes things, but even though it looks different romance still remains. Maybe it’s even a sweeter kind.

Pattie Janzen

And here's SOME NEWS:

I have the privilege of attending the Kennedy's Parable Christian Bookstore's MARKET DAY on Saturday, July 12th! (Address: 603B 51st. St. in Saskatoon, SK)

This store is FULL of beautiful gift ideas for anyone and everyone you can think of.

If you'd like to purchase one or two of my novels, I'll be there from 10 am until 1 pm. Even if you don't need or want books--I'd love to meet you and have a visit!

TEEN CHALLENGE will also be fundraising from 11 am - 3 pm. Their barbecue lunch is fantastic!

MY NEXT BLOG: will be emailed at the beginning of August, with the WINNER of a FREE BOOK!! Have a wonderful July everyone!!