Thinking Back

I remember the first couple of years of my marriage. The "getting used to each other" phase. Although, I think Jason and I had a small advantage in this area--we're both logical and realistic. We put it all out there before we got married and fully understood what we were getting into. No pretending. Oh, we were love struck, for sure. But I think we fought more while being engaged then after we were married. Anyway, after Jason graduated and started working as a "real" person (ha ha), I would visit his work occasionally or meet people from his work. This started happening more often when we moved into the basement of one of his co-workers' house. And I started to notice an interesting phenomenon. When people would encounter me, they would get this look, and say something like, "Oh, you are Jason's wife. Wow. I've heard so many good things about you." When meeting one of Jason's friends, I asked him later what his reaction was and Jason said he asked if I had a sister. And then one day, I remember, one lady said, "Oh, your husband always speaks so highly of you. You must be amazing." Now, I tell you this, not because I am amazing, or even want you to think I am amazing, but because I realized that Jason was making me out to be amazing. I asked him about it and he told me something along the lines of, "I decided that I wasn't going to be one of those people that talked bad about my wife. I want people to know the good things about you." Honestly, this unsettled me a little because here were all these people thinking I was this crazy amazing person and I really wasn't. How was I supposed to act around them now? Best just to keep my mouth shut and not prove Jason wrong! Ha ha.

But, really, here is my point. Jason built me up from the beginning. He never tore me down in front of other people, and rarely even when we were alone. People thought I was amazing because he was amazing. Every time I met someone that Jason talked to on a regular basis, I could see by the look in their eyes that Jason had never demeaned me, never made fun of me, never gave anyone any reason to believe that I wasn't as incredible as he claimed I was. This is one way I knew he was truly devoted to me. He didn't use me to get a cheap laugh. He didn't contribute to "dumb wife" stories. It was if I was his great prize and it made me want to live up to that. I wanted to be as amazing as he said I was. I still do....want to be amazing. I think I've slowed down in that department. But, no matter, there is always tomorrow!

So, here is my thanks to Jason. Thanks for making me feel like being married to me was the best thing you ever did. Thanks for treating me like a queen every day. Thanks for never talking bad about me. Thanks for asking my opinion and acting like it matters. Thanks for putting me first, always. Thanks for coming home to be with me. Thanks for not letting anyone or anything getting in the way of our marriage. Thanks for lifting me up and making me feel amazing....every day.