Wednesday, August 20, 2008

If that's not love, what is?

"Do you love me?
Do I what?
Do you love me?

For twenty-five years I've lived with him,
Fought him, starved with him,
Twenty-five years my bed is his,
If that's not love, what is?

Then do you love me?
I suppose I do.
And I suppose I love you, too.
It doesn't change a thing, but even so,
after twenty-five years,
it's nice to know."

You know that song from Fiddler on the Roof where Tevye asks Golde if she loves him? And she rattles off a list of chores she has done for 25 years that proves her love?

I think I finally know just what they mean.

See, my husband is not the flower-sending kind. Don't get me wrong. I have gotten them. Just not on a regular, everyday basis like I think I should.

My husband is not the foot massage giving kind of guy. I think my ugly, knobby feet might actually disgust him. He's more the type to try massaging OTHER parts, if you know what I mean.

And my husband definitely is not the "Surprise! I bought you a sparkly new diamond ring for no reason!" kind of guy (unlike some lucky girls - hi, Emily!)

But I do know that he loves me.

How do I know? Because he builds me things like this, of his own accord and design, knowing just how much I need it in my life:

A giant, wall-sized bulletin board, covered in a pretty red-checked fabric. Divided into three sections, topped with crisp white wooden letters, clearly, and oh-so-neatly, denoting each kids' spot.

He knows the piles of papers that come home from the school need to have a home. And he knows that their current home (which is piled up on my desk) makes me crazy. So, he spent a whole Saturday last weekend putting this together for little ol' moi.


In addition to that, he gave up his lifelong dream of having a man cave downstairs and put wainscoting on the walls in the basement, knowing full well he'd never get to hang that rifle, Danish flag, and beer keg lid on walls as pretty as these.


So does he love me? I suppose he does.

Although, if he ever wanted to send flowers or big, sparkly diamond rings in addition to the house stuff, I wouldn't necessarily refuse them. You know, because I'm just so nice like that.

Thanks, baby.

After almost 15 years together, I suppose I love you, too.

40 comments:

Lindsey said...

Ahhhh, don't we always want the things that are not ours?? What I wouldn't GIVE for a handyman!!!!!!!!! However, I do have the flower/diamond weilding kind.. Which is nice.. But not when you need something manly done.

Jana said...

Mine mowed the lawn last night. It is as handy as he gets as of late. I count my blessings he is at least doing that.

But I still love him. Very much I love him. And he still changes light bulbs too.

I love the board. I covet the board.

Jessica said...

My comment is that my husband would love to create one of those things but then I would get all offended that he was insinuating that I was disorganized (which I am and he hates) and then we'd be in a fight all night.

I'm pretty sure, we wouldn't get in a fight over a ring.

Laurie said...

I love the bulletin board--such a great idea. Though I have the handy husband, I lack the wall space. So I guess I just keep moving around piles of paperwork. Ugh. Maybe to show he really loves me, he'll start building our big house. :)

Are you sure you didn't have any input into the design? Showed him a magazine picture or something? Because I know my hubby probably wouldn't think of the cute letters and fabric all on his own.

Unknown said...

Talk about coooool (though I probably wouldn't know what to do with it).

And funny you should quote that song. It is what I sing to my husband whenver I know I'm going to get into trouble. :-)

Becky said...

Nothin' like being organized, huh? Beautiful, classy, and clean looking. I like it, very much, I do. I don't have any wall space for that kinda thing, unless I slap it up in the family room, and that's not happening. but, I do need to brainstorm on what I can do for artwork and paperwork. Not on the fridge...magnets don't stick to it...well, ...I guess it's the trash then. :) Just kidding, kinda.

Wendi said...

Must. have. one. of. those.
NOW!
He is a keeper...that man of yours.
Maker of bulletin boards and wainscoting?
I think I love him too!

Annemarie said...

From one OCD sista to another...that's HOT! Man, condiser it foreplay! I'm going to have to ask my husband to prove his love to me as well & request one of those!

Lauren in GA said...

That is total love, baby...I have never seen more beautiful bulletin boards...

and the wainscoting?...so fabulous...

That's a mighty fine man ya got thar!

Michael said...

Man, Josh is just lucky he knows how to do that stuff. If not, he'd be stuck...I mean privileged...to buy you those flowers and rings.

gab said...

That guy rocks! (I think he takes after me...)

♥Shally said...

That is WAY better than flowers-- you can keep that forever!

I had to laugh at Jessica's comment, because the EXACT same thing would happen at my house.

My poor husband just can't win... :)

Liz said...

Seriously, we are long lost sisters. Or cousins, at least. I love your bulletin board and, if you don't mind, I will put a similar one up in my own house not far from the job chart that looks suspiciously like one you have in your home. Lovies, liz

Christy said...

He did that in ONE Saturday, not a whole season of Saturdays??? Boy, you don't know how good you have it! I love it, and am very jealous, of the bulletin board and of the wainscoating. I'm still waiting....

CJ, The Purple Diva said...

I am SO happy for you...it looks WONDERFUL! Thanks so showing us "your flowers" oh and umm, "rings"!
I won't comment about my DH because well, I am afraid you would call me out...like Emily!
And besides you already have one "Emily"-you certainly don't need your triplet sister bragging about her DH! :-)

Bridget said...

I LOVE that bulletin board. What a great idea! And the wainscoting is beautiful. I have fond memories of listening to Fiddler on the Roof as a kid. Too bad it was an 8 track cassette and I can't listen to it now.

That Josh is a keeper.

Unknown said...

You are one lucky girl! By the way...I made those killer brownies last night. OH MAN...they are SOOOOOOO good! Parker and I will probably finish them off today before Joe gets home...oops!

the wrath of khandrea said...

marry me up with jessica and shal.
"what's this?"
"it's an organization board, honey. i made it for you."
"why? do you think i'm some kind of slob?"
"no, no! that's not it at all! i just thought..."
"you can't stand being married to me, can you? you think i'm a total failure as a wife and mother."
"baby! no!"
"DON'T try to deny it!"

2 days later:
"honey? i'm sorry i made you that board. you are a gem to me, and to prove it, i've purchased you this beautiful diamond ring."
"can i still keep that board too?"

love and peace abound.

Anonymous said...

You know how I feel about musicals. Nevertheless, I do know that song.

I read somewhere that things like what he built is EXACTLY how men show love. They do not go in for sparkle.

Go, Tevya.

Mel said...

I'm impressed and in love with that cool board. It's funny how even though we don't get flowers or diamonds how they can still do things to make us love them even more. I completely understand!!

Chatter said...

Your hubby is quite the handyman. I LOVE the wainscoting and I will be showing my hubby the pic just after I type this comment and ask him if I can have a duplicate of your family room. I LOVE it!! cheers for handyman. Who needs flowers and diamonds?

Kimberly said...

Wow! I really love that bulletin board! You should submit this to Pottery Barn...it would look great in their magazine!

Ilene said...

It took me awhile to figure out that my husband likes to show his love for me not by flowers or bulletin boards but by armor-all-ing my cars tires and detailing it to the nth degree. He can't stand his lady driving around in an ugly car.

So the other day when I came out of Wal-Mart and saw two identical suburbans parked next to each other, I knew which was mine immediately because of the shiny wheels.

And I smiled and thought, "he loves me."

danandcindy said...

At first glance, I thought "MCH" stood for, "My, Christie is Heinous".

danandcindy said...

At first glance, I thought "MCH" stood for, "My, Christie is Heinous".

Jenibelle said...

Andrea took the words right out of my mouth. She's so clever.

So the fact that my husband vacums incessantly and does the dishes about 3 seconds after I take my last bite means he loves me not that he is an over-wrought control freak? Good to know, puts a new spin on our lives.

Anonymous said...

Oooh, a little jealous. Love your haircut, by the way. Need a new one myself.

calibosmom said...

After 15 years he has figured out how to get some nookie! Smart smart man! LOVE the board! Now he should mass market them and make a million.

Holly said...

I don't know about that Fiddler on the Roof song (sadly, I've only seen Yentyl--or was it Yentil-- with Babs--does that count?), but an image of Tina Turner in a bad wig and acid washed denim suddenly came popping into my mind.
Okay.
Love, love, love the bulletin board.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, DanTroll. We've missed you.

Anonymous said...

Hard Labor? Now THAT'S love.

Hazen5 said...

I think I love him too! Everyone loves a "Handy-Man". He's got some talent. You are one lucky girl.

Julie said...

Hi, I don't know you, I got your link off of Nicole Hill's. Let me just say you are so cute, sweet, funny, creative, and so so fun to read. You are great and you have such an adorable family! By the way your short do looks absolutely darling on you, I don't what you were talking about it, I love it!

Julie

Kristy said...

Love the post, & Andrea had me rolling! She hit a little close to home...hilarious. I think I'd like to have one of those boards. It really does look like something that came out of a magazine!

Talena said...

Wow, that is awesome! Is he taking orders?

Celia Fae said...

I want to be Golde.

My husband rolls like that too. I'm not holding my breath for jewels but I love the work he does.

Mique (as in Mickey) said...

Once again- I married the wrong Josh. sigh.
Can he set up shop on your blog? He'd have tons of takers.

Amz said...

Wow! It all looks incredible! What a great way to display their "treasures"!

Kristy said...

I "borrowed" your awesome quote, with an edit for the years, for my anniversary post last night. Hope you don't mind...it's not typically my nature to "steal." ;)

Anonymous said...

Holy Crap! That is amazing. I absolutely love it. Boy's got skills.