My Better Half

'Tis the season to be thankful, so I thought it would be appropriate to write about my wife, Kelly. The old adages are "battle axe" or "old lady", and these terms are usually used derisively. In fact, on the way home from the airport Friday, some loudmouth was talking with one of his buddies about getting home to the "ball and chain". I am amazed to listen to other men talk about their wives, and it is usually coupled with statements of misery.

With me, however, it is just the opposite, and I guess that's what happens when you marry your best friend. I have never once thought of myself as miserable because of my marriage. In fact, after 14 years of said marriage, I have grown even closer to the woman I love. When it comes to our children, Kelly puts her entire life on hold to make sure they are cared for. She always puts the kids and me first with no complaints.

Today we attended our Sunday school class where the topic was marriage and relationships. We listened to stories of other couples fighting, not speaking, constantly arguing, etc. I looked at Kelly and just smiled, still marveling at her beauty. Sure we fight and have our disagreements, but show me a marriage that doesn't. The one thing I love more than anything about Kelly is her ability to laugh and have fun. As the three boys and I descend into bathroom humor, she is right there with us, cutting up and cracking her own jokes.


I love how she can make me laugh. I love how much she gives of herself. I love how she constantly stresses over our children's well being with no thoughts about her own. I love how she gets overly excited about sales at department stores. I love the fact that she knows better than to ask me to go shopping with her, because she knows I will make her miserable. I love her hair. I love her ability to teach children how to dance. I love her classiness. I love her southern accent.

I never imagined being married with kids would be easy. But when you marry your soul-mate, it makes it wonderful. I thank God every day I have her, and if I ever lost her, I would never be the same. She is my life.