Aside from the fact that we both have four letters in our first name and about the same hairline, I have very little in common with Phil Dunphy from Modern Family. Just like my wife has nothing really in common with Claire. And there’s really no need to ask about it, either. We have special chemistry.
Category: marriage
-
Chemistry
-
Everybody Loved Raymond
When flipping through the channels the other day, I caught some heated ‘discussion’ between Debra and Ray Barone. For nine seasons Everybody Loves Raymond commanded our love and adoration with it’s comical take on the neuroses that can be the American marriage and family. One of my all time favorite episodes is “The Can Opener”. I know that many a ‘discussion’ has been known to start over simple misunderstandings between my wife and I, but to see it acted out the way Romano and Heaton did was genius. I don’t know what Ray Romano has been up to recently (maybe having coffee with Jerry Seinfeld) but he certainly deserves to toast his success. I think Everybody Loves Raymond‘s widespread syndication guarantees that this sitcom is another American classic.
-
Parenting
After this week I can honestly say, I prefer man-to-man coverage over zone! My wife left on a four-day business trip Monday and flew in last night. Don’t misunderstand, the four days with my boys was really nice bonding time but parenting definitely requires a partnership between committed individuals! In my opinion, it takes equal contributions from a Dad and a Mom. I discovered this week that there are certain roles that only Mom can fill (physically, emotionally and physiologically). No matter how hard a person tries, Dad can’t be a Mom (and Mom can’t be a Dad). I feel for all those individuals that are enduring single parenthood. No one should have to do the job of two people themselves!
-
Carrying the Load
I admit that I’m guilty of trying to carry too much. Like Atlas, I often feel like I have the whole world on my shoulders. The worst part is, the heavy load is usually my own doing. My wife reminds me that I need to just say “no” to some of the projects I take on (easier said than done). She’s right though. With all the self-imposed deadlines, I get stressed, and the only one I have to blame is myself. Sadly, the copious amounts of work and effort I end up pouring into what I want to get done seems worth that feeling of accomplishment in the end. It’s a high for me, so I keep doing it. I’m grateful that she’s in my life providing some balance. She’ll pull me away from work to appreciate what I’m missing in life, but she also supports me when I need help by reminding me to lift with my knees.