It starts so easy, right? He has nice eyes. She has a cute smile. He asks her out, she says yes. They date. Give it a few minutes they’re in love. He says it, she says it. They can’t picture anything more wonderful than spending the rest of their lives together.They get married.
So fun, playing at being grown up. They pay their first bill, and pretend to be shocked at the price of food. They snuggle at night, so nice to be togetherWe don’t need anything but love, they say.They love each other so much, they want to have a baby. A baby that brings all that love on the earth as another person. A cute cuddly person. They get pregnant.
She is surprised at the morning sickness, she thought it was a myth. He’s surprised she doesn’t want sex. How sick can she be? She tries to be fine, he tries to be understanding. The baby comes. They congratulate themselves on enduring the trial.
Those first few days! Moms show up to help. They are rockstars! Look what we did! We made a person! It’s so cute! We named it after grandpa.
The baby cries, alot. It cries and cries. Her nipples are sore. His head aches from the weight of responsibility. He’s a family man now. Better bring home that Bacon. She wonders if she will ever sleep again.
The baby gets sick. They didn’t know a Dr’s visit could be so expensive. They didn’t know a baby could vomit so much. He stays late at work. She hasn’t showered in days. He twists the ring on his finger, she passes the wedding picture in the hall. Another baby.
We need a house! They feel so grown up. It’s scary. That’s a lot of money, he thinks. How can I take care of this all? She wonders. They move. They settle. Kids, dogs, job, church, house, cars. Life piles up.He is losing his hair, she is losing her waist. He doesn’t compliment her anymore. She nags. He works, she works. They’re tired.The pressure builds.
Kids are expensive. The house is too small. The car is too small. The dollars don’t stretch. She wonders why he doesn’t try harder at work. He wonders what she does all day. They move. They buy a van. Kids grow.
They settle in. She is in the pta, he gets a promotion. She spends her days driving kids around. He spends his days at work. They exchange information on the big calendar. We should go on a date she says, yeah babe whatever he says. Birthdays, holidays, all the days pass. Time passes.
First kid, second kid leave for college. How did I get so old she thinks. How will I pay for this he thinks. One day they are sitting in the living room. She can hear the clock ticking. He gets through a news article without interruption. I’m tired she thinks. I’m tired he says. They look at each other.
He’s gone gray she realizes. She’s got eye lines, he notices. She still thinks his eyes are nice. He still thinks she’s got a cute smile. They are a little the worse for wear, but holding up ok.
Now they know about love. Love isn’t cuddling or dating. Love is sacrifice and endurance. Love is sticking around when things get sticky. And boy do they get sticky. Life can be hard.
I love you he says. I love you she says. They can’t picture anything more wonderful than spending the rest of their lives together.
