Romance can have many forms.
There's the Hollywood version-the man realizes too late how perfect she was for him, cue music as man runs through airport desperately trying to locate his love. The leading lady realizes her life of success and independence is nothing without the mysterious man she met on the subway.
In literary circles, romance comes across as a morose, wealthy and despondent bachelor-the Darcy figure women dream of. Maybe the romantic hero of the story meets an untimely death as seems to be the unfortunate scenario in most Nicholas Sparks' books.
As a newlywed I had an idea of what romance was, could be. But somewhere along the way-in the midst of diaper changes, paying the bills, work, unending nights of no sleep, worrying about the health of our children-my definition of romance has changed.
So, on the anniversary of our wedding fourteen years ago-let me tell you about my romantic husband.
I'm married to a man I respect. He's hard working, fair minded, ethical in his dealings with others, direct, and expects that from others. When Aaron says he is going to do something-he does it, whole heartedly, to the very best of his ability.
I trust my husband implicitly.
My husband may not be the stereotypical romantic-roses, dates, flowers, and love notes...but his romance is better in my opinion. Fulfilled promises...
in sickness and health, for richer and poorer.
He works every day, never complaining, so I can take care of the girls and have time to advocate for Rylee. Every night he comes home to us, world weary and in need of his girls.
He loves each of us with a depth that only increases as we mature in our relationship.
He puts up with my crap. Which isn't excessive (in my opinion) but may explain why he says our marriage has been the best two weeks of his life. For the record, he also states that in his old age he is never getting hearing aids.
No matter what the situation or crisis I know without a doubt that we are in this together, and he's always got my back. In fact, sometimes when my soul is too weary he carries me on his back-shouldering heart hurts and world worries.
I never fear he will leave me. (Although if we ever divorce, my mom claims she gets Aaron in the settlement.)
My husband is so romantic that there are parts of his personality, his heart that he only allows us to see. He finds time to give us the very best of himself.
He realizes my deep seated desire to serve others like our own little family. He gives me the ability and encouragement to dream of what could be possible. He embraces who I am and expects me to be myself. Loves me because of everything, not in spite of.
My romantic husband realizes that while I love flowers-I'd rather have practical gifts. The dishwasher one year for Christmas was a huge hit. The riding lawn mower for Mother's Day, eh-maybe not so much. Garbage disposal for my sink this year-another winner.
Aaron is so romantic that he bought my engagement ring and paid it off for a year before giving it to me. The day it was paid for, he asked me to marry him...on Ground Hog's Day. Not romantic you say? I'm thankful he was so excited and enamored that he could wait no longer.
He will take the dreaded "Walk of Shame" to buy the things I need, but forgot in my addled state to pick up. He volunteers to purchase Midol in bulk. (This veers from romance and possibly boarders on self-preservation.)
He loves that I bake for others-as long as I make a double batch in order to leave one batch at home.
Aaron is steady, solid, dependable. He acts with his head first and heart second-which is the exact opposite of me.
There is no one that can make me laugh like my husband. I'm not talking giggle and sigh type of laughter. I mean the type of laugh that catches you off guard in the middle of a disagreement and causes you to forget your point. I'm talking about the type of laughter that makes you laugh until you cry, your sides cramp up, fall off the chair laughter.
He loves our girls. He wants to fix everything but has learned sometimes the best ability you can have as a daddy to little girls-is availability. He takes them on date nights, has slumber parties, watches musicals (pretty sure he's asleep but that's beside the point), and falls prey to Ryann's schemes every single time.
One gentle touch or look across the room-and we can generally tell what the other is thinking.
He tries hard to make the right decisions-covering things up in prayer and including me in his thoughts and plans.
Romance these days for me-is finding joy and contentment in the mundane. Discovering and discussing topics with such passion and humor that you feel better after the interaction. Realizing you fell in love with a sweet boy that has turned into a man deserving of respect, who carries himself with integrity.
Romance isn't just in the grand, expensive gestures-it's found in the day-in-day-out grind of life. The moments that remind you that somehow you were fortunate enough to marry someone who is your best friend.
As I see him tuck in the girls, brush their hair away from sweaty foreheads.
When he climbs out of bed one more time to check on Rylee or make sure all the doors in the house are locked.
Young girls dream of and get caught up in the dazzling, momentary spectacles of romance displayed.
A wife in the midst of a love affair with her husband is caught up in the long lasting expressions of life forged with shared battles and is tempered with humor conveyed.
To my husband-I love you and cannot imagine sharing this life with anyone but you.
