Monday, February 16, 2009

Do Opposites really attract?


Hubby and I are the same age (actually I'm a bit older), we went to the same high school and college, and because the schools were small, we had many friends in common.  His parents are each a year older than mine, and both families consisted of three girls and two boys.  Our fathers both did stints in the Navy and mothers were homemakers.  We are both oldest children.  Strange, weird, a little eerie? 

Yet, we are very different personality types, opposites even.  I was the good girl, honor student, rule follower.  Hubby was a wilder rebel teenager, and he did things that he would never have permitted his sons to do--not that he had permission from his parents either.  Yet we found each other.  As you might guess, his parents were more pleased about that than mine were.  

Hormonally overcharged, struggling for independence, we married young.  We have had disagreements--many of them--but have never considered divorce.  We think very differently; it is like our personal joke that we often do not agree. We expect it.   Sometimes we convince each other of the value of our opinion, sometimes we just give in, sometimes we stay on opposite sides of the fence. 

I do think that we balance each other.  Together we have more skills than we each would alone.  Maybe that's why opposites seem to seek each other out.  One's weaknesses can be supported, one's strengths can boost both.  And the similarity in our backgrounds gave us a firm foundation to hang on to.

When asked how long we've been married, my hubby will say, "All my life."  There's quite a bit of truth to that.  Our 41st anniversary is on Monday.  

7 comments:

Ms Opinionated said...

God Bless you both! Obviously you've got what it takes to be in a good marriage. You have all the components in tack.

Congratulations!!!

Kay said...

Wow, Jo! Congratulations! I loved....no...LOVED reading this post. I find it very interesting that you both have so many similarities and yet are so truly different in thoughts and temperment. Looks like you were made for each other to balance your lives. Your husband must have been drawn to the peace and calm of you and you must have been drawn to the wildness and magic in him. 41 years? That is terrific. You both look so young and you do make a truly gorgeous couple!

wispy willow said...

I could just "ditto" everything Kay said and pretty well cover just what I'm thinking. You do make a striking couple. I would guess that it didn't take long for your parents to come around. There's something to be said for a man who loves your daughter and takes good care of her.

This was such an enjoyable post. Nothing pleases me more than the glimpses we get now and then of the inside of one another's lives.

My husband and I are also quite different. Shucks! Almost polar opposites. But, it's been a marvelous blending and has produced growth in both of us. We've certainly had to work at it... but, we've had a good time together, stretching out in one another's company. We learned early the value of laughter and compromise in a relationship. We laugh together every day.

Great Grandma Lin said...

great post, I too extend my congratulations to anyone who can stay married for decades in our generation. Marriage certainly is a compromise situation. Takes lots of work, patience and love. Thanks for sharing.

storyteller said...

Congratulations on your upcoming 41st anniversary! May you share many more together ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Sheila Keller-Powell said...

Lee and I resemble your remarks.....
congrats on seeing the value of "hanging in there" together!!!
skp:)

Mare said...

41st anniversary! Holy Mackeral. Good for you! That's what marriage vows are supposed to be about!