Nothing Says I Love You Like a Facelift

As my boyfriend and I were lying in bed last night, he sat up quickly and said, “Oh! I forgot my face cream!”  It was at that exact moment that I realized how different we are.  He mentioned something about looking better than me in 5 years and then said that he would buy me a facelift to make up for it.

I replied, “Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a facelift.”

It takes all kinds of people to get along.  Some wise person said, “Opposites attract” and Paula Abdul sang about it throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.    But what really keeps those so far apart together?

Look at Steve* and me.  I think we have a pretty normal relationship.  We are vastly different people however.  Some friends joke, “Who is the man and who is the woman?”  Though offensive at first, I understand why they ask.  Throughout civilization we are taught that the woman is the subordinate half of the relationship and that it has to be this way in order for the relationship to work.  The woman stays in the kitchen to cook and is only allowed to leave that area for four reasons:  to clean, do laundry, use the restroom and have sex.  Unless having sex can be done in the kitchen.  Then it’s back down to three reasons.  Steve cooks for us which is far better because I’m not quite sure I know how the stove works.  If it were up to me, we’d spend thousands of dollars each month eating out at fabulously over-priced restaurants.  We take turns cleaning and doing laundry while I focus on the finances. 

Though both males, we make the system work.  We both understand and respect our individual differences.  He is much more laid back and artistic while I’m more focused and rigid in my daily structure (hence why I do the finances!)

How to make it work:

The most important thing is communication – or lack thereof.  In the past, it has been shown that open verbal communication is the key to understanding each other.  But in reality, I believe there is much more to be learned by non-verbal communication.  Touches, glances and mood can often tell much more about your partner than words can describe. 

Schedule a date night.  One on one time away from friends and family can bring some much needed attention to the relationship.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been together 6 months or 50 years: one on one time can help the relationship grow.  On this night make sure to do something you both enjoy.  Also, make it a weekly habit.  Get a baby-sitter for the kids, forget about your work or school, and have fun with your significant other.  It can make you realize why you fell in love in the first place. 

Finally, be yourself! 

*Name has been changed