Better Than 1950

But she doesn’t think my desire as her partner to love, dote upon and adore her, my willingness as her house husband to clean and launder to her standard -cook to her pleasure, my wife doesn’t think my excitement over obeying her every whim wish and desire in an all-effort to please her and make her happy because I love her – is any different than those who come home and are interested and excited by their particular hobby…
~ OH, Passion Love Odd Choice

I can always tell when my wife is feeling better, and after quite a crazy wild ride, it is entirely possible her health is under control though since we still don’t know what caused the problem there’ll be yet ‘more tests’. But today she did credible damage to a heretofore put off project and, because my hands were momentarily full of children and other things, she even decided to make dinner – it was very good, both dinner and seeing her feeling better.

But when I suggested perhaps I could have done a better job organizing and managing resources and children  –

She [laughs]: I’d love to have a traditional 1950s home with a wife to meet me at the door with drink, but I don’t drink. [Never has very much and cannot now with new medicine.]

Me: Oh, I think I’d have to make it one of those carrot juice protein shakes.

She [laughs]: Besides, I’m not sure wives in the fifties really were that way, I think they mostly just let their children run wild in the streets while they sat at home smoking and drinking.

And I think she’s right of course, we are far more hands on and cooperating parents than how I understand things were done back then, and it probably makes for a lot less time. Minutes later –

She [stretching]: Man, I’m going to need a back rub tonight. 
                                  [I start rubbing her back]
                                  This doesn’t count.

Me [laughing]: Of course not love, but I’ll rub your back now, later and whenever you want – and you know why I’d do it too.

She: Mmmm, because I’m bossy?

Me [laughing]: Well yes you are and I happen to like you the way you are, but no, really because I love you.

She: Ah, well good.

So, perhaps some things are about expected levels of cooperation, but when I think about all the unhappy people there must have been sixty years ago, about all the unhappy people out there today, I realize she and I probably have it better off together now than any tradition, history or stereotype.