When I'm all grown up

Isn't it strange how we don't appreciate what we have? Not until it's taken away from us. Well, I appreciate what I have. I'm in a position where I can watch other people interact all day. I never cease to be amazed by the lack of appreciation they have for each other. Then again, others clearly do appreciate each other.

 

Someday when I'm all grown up, I hope I have a ton of laugh lines. OK, this is not making any sense. Where's the beginning here..?

 

Ah yes, no titles no names. Let's call her Mrs. Apple. Mr. and Mrs. Apple are in their mid forties, they've been married about 20 years and have two kids at varsity. They own a lovely home, have a business together, both come from money and have made a huge success of their lives if money is anything to go by. They just don't match.

 

Mr. Apple adores the missus, this is clear for all the world to see. After 20 years his face still lights up at the sight of her – what a thought! – on the other hand, she makes a lemon-sucking face at the sight of him. Now, Mrs. Apple has a thing for white linen pants and this morning, after having ignored her husband's enthusiastic greeting, she got a friendly swat on the butt. She nearly took his head off. His astounded response was that he had just washed his hands – no marks on the white pants.

 

I'm sorry, but what? If my husband, after 20 years, still wants to swat my butt, thank the heavens! He can leave all the black handprints on my white pants that he wants! This is why we have bleach.  So, my point is that I appreciate the man in my life and the state of my relationship. If you measure success in Rands, then no, we're not too successful, but if you measure it in smiles…

 

And this is why I say I hope that I'll have a ton of laugh lines, but none of those lines you get from pouting. I hope we keep talking and playing, the way another couple I know still does – also 20 years down the line. And I hope that 20 years from now, he'll still swat my butt. And that his hands will be dirty when he does.

 

So, honey, if you're reading this, may you be a playful old goat when the time comes. Whatever else happens :-)