I wasn’t suicidal, but death didn’t sound so bad. What was wrong with me? Tired. Depressed. A 40 lb.-weight gain in a year. Something was going on. I requested a copy of my blood work, did some research, then asked my doctor for a referral. He wasn’t happy. “Doctors are human, too,” he sighed, avoiding eye contact. He scratched out a script for the sixth antidepressant in about four years. He had no problem giving me antidepressants. But a referral? Out... Read more
I have yet to come across a union that resembles a Facebook version. All smiles, vacations, romantic dinners, and babbling love letters. I know mine doesn’t. But, putting Facebook terminology to use in your relationship may pave the road to pleasant pillow talk. Facebook isn’t an icon of conventional marital wisdom, but using common Facebook terms in your relationship–like, friend, share, what’s on your mind or update status, comment–will not only improve communication, but may also produce surprising changes in... Read more
I rolled my eyes, bent over and snatched the terrycloth heap off the floor. His robe lay on the floor beside the bed exactly where he’d dropped it the night before. And there it would’ve stayed unless I picked it up. He’d already gone to work. “In addition to changing diapers, taking care of kids, and cooking the meals,” I thought, “he expects me to pick up after him, too? I’m his wife, not his maid.” Sound familiar? We–my husband... Read more
Dear Son, You’ve never known a time when I haven’t worked. I returned to work the minute I came home from the hospital with you in tow. No maternity leave for me. You already had an older brother and sister at home, so I went straight to work. So, in your lifetime, I’ve always worked. Some people live to work. Most people work to live. I live to work because I get to do a job I mostly love: Caring for your... Read more
When my husband and I got married shortly after I graduated college, I waged a personal vendetta against him which dated back to high school. Sounds crazy, right? Why would I marry someone I harbored resentment against? I was hurt by something that had happened in the past, and I refused to let it go. It should’ve been settled long ago, and it was…for him. Long before he’d asked me to marry him, he’d put the incident in a box... Read more
Things were getting ugly. That’s when the Colgate Pump saved my marriage. Let me explain. I squeezed in the middle (or at the end or wherever I picked it up). He had the nerve to suggest we squeeze the tube starting at the very end, so we could neatly roll it up as it emptied. Married less than a month, and he was trying to control me by telling me where I’m allowed to squeeze the tube? Toothpaste comes out no... Read more
Being a wife isn’t easy for me. It’s not natural for me to greet my man with a Pinterest-worthy meal and a kiss at the end of the day.If I hold my husband’s hand and it’s not Sunday, he thinks something’s wrong. If I’m not thinking about it, my PDA (public display of affection) won’t go beyond holding hands in church on Sunday. I need to remind myself everyday to be a better wife. But, too many nights I lie... Read more
The Not So Excellent Wife
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