Marital Bliss

I really don't deserve to be Brian Taylor's wife. I suppose that statement could have two very different meanings and should you ask me about it, my clarifying answer would depend on various circumstances of the moment. However, today (at least this morning) it means that I am much too much of a cantankerous, ungrateful, exasperating wife to deserve such a wonderful husband. Brian truly is a marvelously magnificent man.

I remember the morning of my 28th birthday. We'd been married almost a year and I was 4 months pregnant with Cumorah. I was really cranky that morning. I don't remember why, but I remember thinking it was Brian's fault. After I got out of the shower that morning I made comment about his not even making the bed yet, only to discover a little while later that he had not made the bed yet because he had made a mad dash to the store to buy me the most beautiful fresh roses for my birthday. He knows me well enough to know that fresh flowers make me feel ridiculously happy and loved and he also knows that I take such eternally long showers that he had enough time to make it to the store and back without me knowing. I think I cried because I felt so bad for being cranky at him when he is so wonderful.

I remember the evening in November many years ago when he first held my hand. He asked permission. How sweet is that?

I remember when he gave me the pink fuzzy clock that still hangs above the door in the bathroom because it is the most unnoticeable but useful place for a clock. He made it. He wanted to give me something pink and fuzzy, because I like pink.








Brian does the dinner dishes. I cannot begin to express the complete greatness of that service. He started doing them several months ago after he found me one night hysterically sobbing on our bedroom floor, quite pregnant, tired, and completely emotionally worn out, while Cumorah was crying in her crib. Since then, evenings have been oh so much better and there is always a fresh start with clean dishes in the morning. It was his idea. I think he was inspired. Had he asked me what he could do to help, which he actually probably did, I couldn't have thought of something so completely needed and wonderful. It is no small thing for me to not have an overflowing sink of dishes to do after I finally get Cumorah bathed, lotioned, pajammied, and tooth brushed, help Cumorah clean up her toys, and finally get her in bed. And now I have Rivers so there is more bathing and pajamaing and some nursing to do as well. It is also no small thing for him to do the dishes with the stress of school on his shoulders.

And this morning, Brian woke me at 7:33 saying that he had to leave for school. Usually he wakes me at 7:00 for family time before he goes. Today he let me sleep in that half hour. I wasn't even conscious this morning when he got up sometime after 6, when he wheeled the baby's portacrib out of the bedroom or when Cumorah woke up and he went in and got her. Usually, I wake up at all of that. He knew I needed sleep because I'm horrible at napping and at going to bed at any sort of reasonable hour at night.

We've had plenty of romantic moments, romantic dates, romantic trips (especially before the children) but nothing compares to the true love expressed by letting me sleep in a little, by doing dishes, changing a diaper, or vacuuming the floor (I don't do floors). It's real life and it takes real love to create Marital Bliss.

So here's to my FANTABULOUS hubbie. Thank you, my love. You're the best ever and I love you.