Next month is our 7-year wedding anniversary.

Seven.

I realize I know nothing about marriage in comparison to someone who has, say, been married for 35 years. Seven is really just a drop in the bucket when you look at the big picture. And in a way, it seems like it’s only been half that long … like our marriage REALLY started when children started arriving. Or maybe I just can’t remember our life before that.

I take it seriously. Relationships have to be maintained or they will die, pure and simple. It’s not easy. I can see why some people give up. I can see why some people can’t make it. There were times when I wasn’t sure if I could handle another day with this ridiculous man. 

Clearly, he never thought this about me. CLEARLY, he never thought to himself, “I can’t handle this crazy bitch and her crazy ways one more day.” 

This is me being sarcastic.

But we have made it. We are making it. If we can get through the first 7 years then I am certain we can make it through the rest. Why? Because we want the same things out of life. Happiness. Simplicity. Love. Fun. We have learned how to communicate better. We have learned how to just say how we’re feeling (“I would love to duct tape your mouth shut right now.”), deal with the issue, and then move on. 

I feel like our relationship is really just a bunch of foolishness and off-the-charts love for each other. That’s it. I LOVE THAT MAN. He loves me right back. Apparently that is all that is required for us to be happy. The foolishness keeps it fun even when we’re annoyed, which is often, and the love seems to do the rest. I find it fascinating to hear what other people require in their relationships to make them work happily. 

Today I asked Husband to take a picture of my butt in a new pair of jeans.

Seven jeans from T.J. Maxx, $29.99, with a waistband that comes up high enough to hide my muffin top.

He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t make fun — out loud. He took the picture, silently listening while I told him, “These jeans are amazing because they stretch and don’t dig into me and OMG, I have a huge ass, why is my ass so huge?!” And then he asked me if I was planning to eat tampons and cookies for lunch. Because this was the bag I packed to take with me for the day.

And that was our morning. 

So this is all I’ve got so far, and you can take it or leave it: figure out what you need from your spouse and ask for it. Be happy in your marriage. It’s the most important thing in your life, even before your children. Without Husband, I wouldn’t have my children. He comes first. That can be hard to remember.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have cookies to eat.