How do I love him? Let me Count the Ways

Okay. So I adjusted that title a little.

I ask that question about my husband a lot. A LOT. Sometimes, it really is, "How is it I love him?" while I pick up his dirty socks which he's oddly folded back up and set on top of our dresser. Who does that? How do I love a man who folds his dirty socks and tries to save them?

I ask that question when I'm putting back the living room furniture after he's shoved everything out of the way to do some exercising. "I'm happy you're exercising," I fake sweetly smiled just this morning. "But I'll be annoyed soon if I have to keep putting the furniture back." How is it I love a man who doesn't remember that where he's left the recliner is not where it normally lives?

This man I love is also the same man who can't remember to get my tupperware to me within five days of having used it for lunch. How many times must I gag and make odd sounds as I deal with that? How can I love a man who tries to deprive his wife of tupperware that doesn't smell? How can I love him when these are his ways?

Well, he's hot, for starters.

I love him because he loves me back. When he hurts my feelings and I tell him about it, he owns up to it and apologizes instead of demeaning what I've told him. He tells me that he's glad I'm smart, and that he would have been disappointed if I hadn't finished college. He's not the best communicator; in fact, he's often a terrible communicator, but I'm blaming it on the "y" part of his "xy" make-up and choosing to be thankful for the fact that he is trying to improve here.

I love my husband because we're very much a team. If one of us is working, the other one cooks dinner and gets it cleaned up. If one has a headache and the children are dancing around like little beasts, the other one whisks them away for awhile or tries to trade them on the street (or get them ready for bed.) We have our jobs, but they're  by no means etched in stone. Day-to-day life isn't that predictable. Why should our roles be?

I love my husband because I know he considers me every bit his equal. Our marriage is a happy one. I read a disturbing blog post not long ago about how many perceive the roles of women in my faith and it's had me troubled for some time. I'm no doormat. I'm educated, smart, liked by others, and happy. I stay home with my children because it's where I want to be, not where I have to be. I read great books, work, and have ambitions. I even home school my son and don't consider that odd.

Color me opressed.

I really had no idea so many viewed us that way, and I don't know that there's much I can do about that. Fortunately, I know my husband (and my marriage) are not exceptions, but much more the norm than many may know.

And this little post is what I have to say about that.

For more about what I believe, check here.