married
The most important four words for a successful marriage: 'I'll do the dishes.'
Date of Good Tidings
It’s a warm summer evening on a night when the moon is set just right. It’s not a full moon, yet one would think it is with its bright LED glow, I sit on my back patio petting my pooches that thrive on my attention. Without warning, “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I shouts my phone to life, startling me out of deep thoughts. It’s the key to my heart, the other half of my soul. Sounding seductive and full of confidence he invites me to a surprise dinner announcing he’ll be pickling me up at six. With excitement and delight, I get dressed aiming to please, for he is that special someone after all. As he pulls into our driveway, the thudding of his favorite Spanish song replaces any honking horn any day. As he climbs out of the car with the music increasing as the door slowly opens, one would think a heavy weight champion was being introduced as he bravely approaches the ring, and I am the ring. Hugging me and greeting me with his welcoming kisses, lets me know I have chosen the right outfit for this unexpected dinner date. Walking me to the car, he slowly opens the door and guides me into the passenger seat, for I’m his queen after all. Watching him walk in front of the car to get in on his side only empowers me to tell him lets skip dinner. His Burberry smell only makes me wish dinner was already over. Our drive to where we are going only gives me lust for my husband’s touch. I’m excited, while at the same time I am disappoint of the not knowing. We arrive at a place called Flemings, and I all I can do is wonder. My love must sense it, for he informs me that it’s a steakhouse and wine bar. We exit the car walking to the front door, as he softly guides my lower back with his hand. With a greeting from the hostess, he responds our last name. After receiving an invitation of this way, we follow the young women to a private booth for two, where a single votive candle softy provides light. Immediately red wine is poured into our glasses, in which all it takes is a sip to know it Merlot. Once again, my king has done well. He’s selected everything to my liking from the place to eat, to the flavored drink. This place is new to us and for some special occasion he’s chosen it from the usual places. A special occasion indeed, for as my love makes a toast to us, he informs me of good tidings this special night. A promotion has brought us here and after tonight, our hopes and dreams will hopefully start coming true. After ordering our food, we sit and remanence of our earlier times together. It’s hard to believe sometimes that we have been together for five years. We have gone through some rough patches, but we’ve pulled through. After looking back, we decide to take another toast to this. As I take my last sip from the glass of merlot, our dinner arrives with a prime rib steak, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. The smell that radiates from the steak only makes me hungrier. The food is to die for and before we could finish, the waiter asked to bring us something else to drink, we both decide to go with a glass of water this time. Once we have completed our meals, and enjoyed more talks of remanence, we ask for our check. After the waiter returns with our bank card, we decide it’s time to return home. On our way home, my love drives slow as we intake the fullness we have just endorsed. Once home, my gorgeous man directs me to wait for him, as he exits the car to open the door for me. He gently tugs me out of the passenger seat to a warm embrace that conjoins us up to our front door and inside where only our secrets reside.
By Deborah Portillo5 years ago in Families
Define Normal
According to the National Domestic Abuse Hotline, it takes six to eight times to successfully leave an abusive relationship. Each attempt to leave has a 75% risk of getting killed in the process. Think of this the next time you hear someone say, “Why did they stay in such a toxic relationship?”.
By Samantha Milkey5 years ago in Families
Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words.
I met my husband in April of 1976 when he was 18 and I was 17. I was tired of guys always teasing me about being skinny and yet on the flip side trying to get into my pants. I was harassed constantly for being a virgin and told that I was "scared." This only made me more determined to find someone who appreciated me for not giving it away. When I met Michael Preston he shared that he had already had 2 girlfriends who had babies that were not his and he was looking for a girl who had not given it away to every guy and who would be faithful.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in Families
The Chaperones
“They were made for each other,” John said, as he looked in the bedroom mirror to straighten his tie. “It’s like they’re both out of a former century; neither one of them has a clue how to romance someone in modern times. They’re both so nerdy and hopeless.”
By Karla Bowen Herman5 years ago in Families
Merlot is off the menu
Merlot is off the menu. Imagine your best first date. What would it involve? A quiet glass of Merlot in the brand new and very fashionable wine bar? A steak dinner? Wearing that little black dress or may be something glittery and clingy borrowed from a friend? A night at the disco? A beach picnic? Even an hour or so at the bowling alley. Any of these could be fun and romantic.
By Margaret Watson5 years ago in Families
What my pots and pans teach me about my spouse
I recently got married (cue celebratory wedding bells!) On a sunny spring day in April of 2020, standing on the side of a creek with hands sweating and shaking with nerves, my best friend got down on one knee and asked me to take this wild adventure called life with him. With the fear of covid in the air, we cautiously visited family to wave a newly-ringed finger through closed windows and commenced with planning the start of our new lives together right away. After cutting the typical wedding guest list by over 90% and switching venues a month before the big day we were those crazy kids who did indeed tie the knot by the end of 2020, allowing us to turn the page into a fresh start together as husband and wife in 2021.
By Amanda K. Millar5 years ago in Families
Poverty, Passion, and Plants
When my husband and I were dating, we found that we both had a love for the forest, mountains, and all things natural. After realizing we would be spending most of our free time in nature, we made the decision to make the most of our love for the outdoors, and try our hand at ginseng farming. After six years of sewing seed, the time has come to reap the harvest.
By Marianne Cotter5 years ago in Families
ABOUT 4 MONTHS
You probably saw the pictures. I decorated for the fall this year. Sorry. LAST year. Where does the time go. Not the Halloween portion of the fall but the ‘leaves falling in the fall’ fall decorating. Remember when the only Halloween decorations there were, were on the 10 and under set? What happened? To be fair, who ever heard of decorating for the fall 20 years ago. Sure there was the occasional pumpkin on a porch but only because my dad was too lazy to throw it in the trash. I dunno. I think It’s my favorite time to decorate now.
By Mark Manche5 years ago in Families
