Men Are Better At Marriage

Scarlett Longstreet - 23 May 17

My husband gave me two gifts for Mother’s Day, only one of which made me cry. The album he made full of family photos was indeed thoughtful, but what really got the water works going was a gift that I hope we’ll never need.

Life insurance.

Nothing like imagining your husband perishing in a freak accident or suffering a long and painful battle with disease to kick off a holiday. If you’re interested in torturing yourself, picture your daughter getting married without her father there to walk her down the aisle. Or missing your son’s college graduation. Imagine celebrating life’s biggest moments and navigating its hardships without the man who makes the good ones great and the bad ones bearable.

Life insurance doesn’t usually elicit the warm fuzzies. It means you’re prepared for the worst. It’s not exactly a gift you give; people don’t put it on their Christmas list. Unless you’re me. I’ve been begging my husband for life insurance for about a year now. My pleas had been ineffective, each conversation left me frustrated and him convinced that I was planning to murder him and cash in. He also believes that purchasing insurance of this kind is based in fear and isn’t backed by an adequate statistical probability. (Sorry dude, I’m just trying to make sure that your kid(s) are provided for in the event of a tragedy. Not like I’m asking for a Range Rover. Yet.)

This compromise reminded me yet again that my husband was really good at this marriage thing. It represented his willingness to do something that he doesn’t necessarily want to do, because he knows how important it is to me. And that is not my forte.

So I cried, because this man is so good to me. And I am just bossy. Not one of those flirty boss babes, just a pain in the ass. Stubborn, controlling, very un-Christlike.

I sign more executive orders than Trump. Honestly, he’s my inspo. I decide where we eat and veto suggestions like I’m the house, senate, and commander in chief all rolled into one. If he wants pizza when I have a taste for Mexican, I will go full nuclear. Vacation destinations, housing locations, television shows. One opinion to rule them all.

And here he is compromising his fundamental beliefs to give his wife what she wants.

So ladies, I’m not assuming you’re as bad as me, but I do hope you’re as blessed as me. If your significant other doesn’t think twice about going to the ends of the earth for you, or maybe just to Pizza Hut (which is as important), if you get your way so often that your say is the only one that counts, if your marriage is a bona fide Burger King slogan it’s time to reciprocate. It’s easy to forget the hard work that keeps a smile on our faces. Here’s to remembering everything they do that makes that smile status quo.

Scarlett is a stay at home-ish mom, bartender, and wife. You can follow her on Instagram.

Want to read more great blogs by The Spilled Milk Club? Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram!

Scarlett Longstreet

View profile for posts, events and more info