29

married twenty-nine years and going strong, my parents have this thing about them that works. and when i say "works," i mean "sparks." growing up, i think i took their relationship for granted. it never crossed my mind that not all parents get along the way mine did. and it seemed far-fetched that not all parents love each other the way mine did and continue to do. life at home felt so natural, and the relationship before my eyes seemed so effortless. comfortable. organic.

fast forward 15 years, the latter three shared with g, and i've realized that what my parents have is respect, trust, and the will to fight life's unforeseen battles...together. mama couldn't be more different than daddy, and vice versa, but they meet where it matters. like lounging in their backyard. or over a plate of tacos at the local mexican joint. or in the family room on a saturday morning with their coffee, newspaper, and spoiled-ass dogs. and yet with all of their "differences," they find their common ground in the life they created together, the life that took 29 years to refine and learn to understand.

and so as g and i enter the month of the third year being together, i am humbled by my parents' example of real-time love. that i can be who i am and g can be who he is and we can love each other deeply as long as we both believe that the life we share together is worth refining. 

this past weekend, when g asked my dad what the secret was for a healthy marriage, my dad replied "a sense of humor." and with that, i'd say g and i are headed in the right direction.