My husband and I were recently watching a sit-com in which two of the main characters, who went through a few seasons of flirting and angst-filled relationship banter, finally started dating.

My husband said, “This show is ruined now. They always do this.” He held up his fingers and started counting. “They did it when Sam and Diane got together, they did it when Chandler and Monica got together, they did it with that couple from Moonshiners…”

This is a picture of my son, but this is pretty much the exact look I gave my husband.

But, before I could call him out on his Moonlighting mistake he said, “When those two rednecks got together it totally ruined the show.”

Follow

Email

My husband has a chronic calf injury that reared its ugly head at the gym tonight. When we got home, he pulled out his home therapy tools; two ice packs and a heating pad which he alternates for 10 minutes at a time.

When our son went up to take his shower his dad had his leg resting on ice.

And, when our boy came downstairs 10 minutes later he said, “Ha, Dad! I knew when I came back that you’d be in heat!”

Follow

Email

When my daughter was little she was an N’Sync fan. Remember N’Sync? Slick hair, slick clothes, smooth voices, boy band extraordinaire?

One of my friends gave her a t-shirt that looked just like this:

I know this shirt is around here somewhere, but I can’t find it which is why I took this image from an auction site and didn’t snap one myself. I would have NEVER gotten rid of it. She wore it to bed every night and I’m sure I have it stashed somewhere safe, but my “somewhere safe stash” is always a place I can’t remember. It will turn up, probably next year when I’m looking for a turkey baster.

Somewhere in her youth, I started liking N’Sync too. Maybe it was all the Barney that did me in and when I couldn’t take another minute of songs about sunshine, I took to her new-found interest in music I could actually tolerate. Over the past five years or so, my tolerating turned into true appreciation for the solo artist Justin Timberlake became after N’Sync split up. Recently, my appreciation has turned into JT being just about all I listen to.

Yesterday, my husband surprised me and my daughter with Justin Timberlake tickets for tonight’s concert. JT has managed to do what very few people can, which is close the 27 year generation gap between me and my kid. We both screamed when we found out we were going. We are both exceptionally excited about this show.

So, I WILL find this shirt. Not because either one of us would actually wear it (or fit in it, for that matter), but because it’s a piece of something we’ve shared together from the start. It’s a fond memory for me and I love that we are going to add this concert to the scrapbook in my mind.

But there is one more thing that needs to be said and my heart wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t get it off my chest. Before we leave for the show I’m going to give my daughter a hug and whisper in her ear, “I’m so excited to be seeing Justin Timberlake with you, but no matter how happy it would make you or how much we could bond, I want you to know that I will never, ever like One Direction.”

Follow

Email

We went to a wedding yesterday for our nephew Mike and his lovely bride, Lisa. This picture was shamelessly stolen from my sister-in-law. Thanks, Laura! Though next time, let’s make sure we watch for background light diffusion and foreground shadows. I know these technical things because I often take pictures of my dog with my phone. That pretty much makes me an expert.

Mike was just a kid when his uncle and I started dating; back then, we still called him Michael. It was before middle school and braces and long before he joined the Marines and served in Afghanistan. I never anticipated that I’d be giving that kid unsolicited marital advice, but while he was busy growing up, I was busy getting relationship experience under my belt. It’s kind of my duty to tell him. It’s like I’m the Godfather. Except I’m a woman. And, not in the mafia. Here goes:

Dear Mike,

First, let me say that your brother gave an excellent speech last night: “People always say, ‘Don’t go to bed mad,’ but when the kids are crying and you’re tired, and fighting with your spouse, sometimes you just need to go to bed and things will be better in the morning.” I concur. Wholeheartedly. Just sleep.

There will be times when you are so angry – and sometimes it’s not even anger but just sheer monotony – and you think there’s NO WAY things can get better. You’ll think you can’t possibly spend another day with this person, let alone the rest of your life.

But, when you get through it you won’t believe how much stronger your relationship is. You will love your wife like never before and you won’t understand how you could have ever thought otherwise. Except for maybe when she tracks mud in across your just mopped floor. Or leaves the seat up in the middle of the night. But, let’s hope she won’t do that.

I know you realize this commitment is forever, so don’t ever say anything to her that you wouldn’t want said to you. Or, if she’s like me and holds a grudge for years, don’t say anything that she can throw in your face a decade from now. Women have good memories and we can use them for evil.

Kiss her every day. Tell her you love her. Rub her shoulders. Hold hands. Split the chores – and occasionally do hers as a surprise. That last bit of advice is really for your uncle. Hi honey! But, really. Housework is hot.

Oh, and one last thing; this marriage stuff is hard and you WILL screw it up. You both will. It is also the most beautiful, rewarding, comforting, secure partnership you will ever have, as long as you remember that you’re in this together. Forever.

You got this.

Love,

Aunt Diane

Follow

Email