Updated: March 30, 2023
Originally Published: March 30, 2023
On Christmas Eve last year, at the stroke of midnight, I dashed through the house, gathering everything for the big day ahead. Exhausted, I emerged from the bathroom in my pajamas, ready to collapse into bed. My husband, Mark, gestured toward my side of the bed, where a beautifully wrapped bag from Victoria’s Secret sat. My face lit up, then immediately twisted into a grimace that I clearly didn’t conceal very well.
Mark quickly reassured me, “No! It’s part of your Christmas gift, but I couldn’t give it to you in front of the kids! It’s not for tonight!” We both erupted into laughter at my exaggerated reaction, and I realized how much I missed these lighthearted moments.
When did Mark become the one surprising me with lingerie—on a raincheck? Although I love creating fun little gifts for our kids on holidays, I often drop the ball when it comes to my husband. He usually gets a hastily bought card, often after he’s already sent me flowers.
The truth is, Mark excels at being thoughtful, and I sometimes take that for granted. Yet, there are moments when I pause, overwhelmed with gratitude for him and our quirky little family. But then, chaos takes over, and if I’m honest, Mark often slips down my list of priorities.
How did I reach this point? When I first moved to this state to be with Mark, before children and pets entered our lives, my favorite part of the day was curling up in bed together, watching reruns of Family Guy. It may not sound romantic, but after a long-distance relationship, those moments felt like a dream. I’d go home after work and think, “I get to see my husband!”
Even now, I still feel excitement when he arrives home from work, and my love for him remains strong (which is fortunate since he’s stuck with me). Yet, I sometimes wake from the haze of motherhood and long for those cozy evenings with Family Guy. Who knew such an unromantic show could hold such charm? (And yes, I just cringed typing that word.)
Before we got married, I had a mini meltdown, worried that I didn’t want to fall into a rut. I feared becoming just another married couple. When I was pregnant with our first child, I cried while Mark comforted me, repeatedly expressing my fear of change.
What I didn’t grasp back then was that growth as a couple is inevitable. Sure, we may not have much alone time, but he still playfully swats my behind as I rush past him for more milk for our daughter—every single time. Our nights might not involve jumping into bed like teenagers, but we doze off with the news playing in the background. We’ve learned to plan for spontaneous getaways, cherishing them even more when they come to fruition.
So no, we don’t stay the same as a couple. We evolve, navigating new adventures together, time and time again. Recently, I sent Mark a message saying, “We need a date night soon. We’re entering the friend zone.” His reply? “Well, Google does have ‘FRIEND’ next to your chat photo.” I chuckled, but then he quickly changed it to “My Sexy Wife I Love,” which made my stomach flutter.
And that, right there, outshines any Family Guy episode.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while children can undoubtedly push you out of your comfort zone, they also provide opportunities for growth and connection in your marriage. Embrace these changes, and you might just find a deeper bond through the chaos.
Keyphrase: Kids and Marriage Growth
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