Just yesterday, my husband, Jake, was beside me, lost in a puzzle—an activity that seems to define our lives these days. As I glanced over, I caught him making an odd face, an exaggerated effort to breathe that seemed both intentional and absurd. It was as if he was trying to suck air through his nose and then audibly exhale through his mouth.
Okay, let’s be honest; he was just breathing. But seriously, has he always done it so loudly? I couldn’t help but think, “How dare you!” He must have sensed my annoyance—perhaps it was the intense glare I shot his way—because he quietly exited the room.
The reality is, I need him more than ever right now. He’s practically the sole provider of snacks and meals in our house, and his courage during these strange times has been commendable.
Before lockdown began, we stocked up on groceries to last several weeks. Yet, our kids seem to be in a milk-drinking frenzy, demanding a trip to the store. Jake volunteered to tackle the Costco run, and since I usually handle the shopping, I thought it prudent to give him a list.
The list looked like this:
- Something important
- Something slightly less important
- Something I’ve never tried before but now seems essential
- Toilet Paper
- White Wine
- Milk
- Other minor items
Off he went, navigating the long lines and one-in, one-out policy, returning two hours later. By then, the kids and I were parched and a bit cranky.
As I unpacked the groceries, my heart sank when I spotted just one standard bottle of white wine. One. Just one bottle? I was incredulous—this was a quarantine, after all, and I had only a single bottle of wine to get me through!? Panic set in.
He looked at me calmly and said, “Lisa, you don’t even like white wine.”
Okay, he had a point. I’m a red wine girl through and through, and he knows it well. But given the bizarre nature of COVID lockdowns, I figured I could venture into new territory. Why not go a little wild, right?
Three hours later, we struck a deal: I’d specify “wines” in the plural next time I made the grocery list, and he’d simply follow my instructions without question.
This is just one hilarious example of how the quarantine has put our marriage to the test in unexpected ways. This isolation has granted us the rare chance to spend what feels like an eternity together—along with our three children. Fun, right?
Although Jake and I have been married for nearly a decade, most of that time has been spent juggling work and sleep. Typically, we see each other about five hours a day, which is mostly consumed by meal prep, homework, and bedtime rituals. Sure, we text throughout the day, but our quality time is limited.
The quarantine has changed that for all couples self-isolating together. It’s led to questions like, “Why do you chew so loudly?” “Do you really need to stand that close?” and “What are you doing here?” While we all know why our partners are around, these queries reflect the quirky frustrations that emerge from spending too much time together.
Last week, when our two-year-old, Mia, hid my wedding ring, I was ready to call it quits—not on the search for the ring, but on the marriage itself. I was at my wit’s end—exhausted from parenting, work stress, and anxiety. Perhaps a trial separation until I found my ring wouldn’t be such a bad idea, I mused, though Mia only giggled.
Despite these challenges, I love Jake and appreciate him more than ever. This isn’t the usual setup; we’ve gone from five hours a day to 16 hours together, minus those glorious eight hours of sleep. In a typical six-week span, we’d spend about 300 hours together; now, we’ve racked up an impressive 672 hours. That’s an extra 372 hours, which equates to roughly 75 days!
Seventy-five extra days is a significant amount of time to learn more about your partner. For instance, I discovered he stays on conference calls while using the bathroom. Fun, right? He also wakes up at 6:00 a.m. just for laughs. I’m baffled by his habit of not closing the blinds before 7:00 p.m., and he has a tendency to shave his beard without warning, leaving me questioning my own emotional stability.
Alongside these revelations about Jake, I’ve learned quite a bit about myself, too. For instance, I can still sleep until 10:00 a.m. (yay for me!), and I have a habit of yelling when stressed. Baking has become my go-to stress reliever.
Most importantly, I’ve come to realize that neither of us is perfect, and we certainly don’t have it all figured out. But, as cliché as it sounds, together we have it all. We’ve been making plans to celebrate our ten-year wedding anniversary this fall, possibly with a trip to Napa or Mexico. However, I think we’ve already earned our celebration—if you count the extra 75 days. And trust me, I’m counting.
So, I’m ready to pop open that bottle of white wine and toast to us. And to all couples navigating this bizarre time together—even if “home” now feels like an odd concept. We’re fortunate to have each other in these strange times.
For more about the challenges and joys of home life, check out this other blog post. If you’re interested in home insemination options, CryoBaby offers excellent resources. For additional information on insemination success, visit WebMD.
Summary:
The quarantine has pushed my marriage to its limits in unexpected ways, revealing both amusing quirks and deeper insights into our relationship. From grocery shopping mishaps to discovering new facets of each other, this time together has been both a challenge and a blessing. We’re learning to appreciate the little things and finding ways to celebrate our love, despite the chaos around us.
Keyphrase: quarantine marriage test
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