LOVE AND LAUNDRY
Laundry calms me.
I know.
The process of sorting, folding and returning to its dedicated drawer or shelf.
Somedays laundry is the only to to list item I complete.
It is the routine of a lazy Sunday afternoon before thoughts turn to Monday.
From the spin cycle to the quiet hum of the dryer fluffing towels as it tumbles.
I like to start the week with an empty laundry basket.
My husband is the opposite.
He does laundry only when he has exhausted every article of clothing in his drawers and closet.
It is why my husband does his own laundry.
It was our first negotiation three weeks into our marriage.
There are exceptions.
Like when I pulled off a laundry room demo without his knowledge.
Our laundry arrangement has worked without incident for over thirty years.
Laundry is our love language.
Sometimes I surprise him by tossing his towels or jeans.
For years, Valentine’s Day was a trip to Red Robin with our three kids in between after-school activities and last-minute reminders for poster board or lined note cards.
So imagine my surprise this yearwhen my husband told me he made reservations at a restaurant ten days in advance of Valentine’s Day.
And I turned to him and said ….
can we go to that pizza place we went to last year?
He scrunched his face like the look he gets when I cant find my eyeglasses that are on my head.
It is a pizza place tucked in a retail center with a bar the size of double wide laundry room.
We found it last year when we both were slammed with work commitments, and both failed to make a dinner reservation.
After a long day we ended up in a bar with a chair that wobbled and paper napkins.
And guess what?
We had the best time because it represented what Valentine’s Day means to us.
It is about commitment, compromise, respect and laughter.
Valentine’s Day reminds us to celebrate our growing family.
I know many of you have spouses who are no longer here, which makes Valentine’s bittersweet or maybe an opportunity to celebrate with friendss for a Galentine’s Day.
I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your family, spouse, or your favorite date with four paws and love.
