There’s no itch in this marriage

According to the internet, “the sevenyear itch” is “a supposed tendency to infi delity after seven years of marriage.”

Having just celebrated my seven-year wedding anniversary, I can honestly say I don’t feel even the inkling of an itch. Our marriage is stronger than it’s ever been, and I can’t wait to keep adding years.

It’s almost a cliché to say this, but Linda and I really do work well together as a team. Take the process of eating meals. Because of our different work schedules, Linda will do all the cooking and have everything ready when I get home. It’s very traditional in a 1950s sort of way.

But, in exchange for her wonderful cooking, I’m always more than happy to dive into the kitchen and clean up whatever mess she may have left behind from preparing the meal. This includes wrapping up the leftovers, finding spots for them in the fridge, scrubbing all of the pots and pans, loading the dishwasher and wiping the counters. (I’m really trying to talk up my contributions).

One of our favorite pastimes is to leave the kitchen behind and let other people do the cooking and cleaning for us. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by all of the new restaurants that have opened up recently in the Abbotsford area. We used to complain about the relative lack of options for dining out, but that’s no longer a valid complaint. Just in the past few months, we’ve seen four new restaurants open their doors, and each one offers a slightly different speciality, so we should be good for “date nights” for the foreseeable future.

What really amazes me about our marriage is the lack of drama and conflict. Whenever I hear about other couples squabbling — oftentimes over the smallest, most trivial things — I think to myself how lucky I am to be in a marriage defined mostly by peace and tranquility. Our arguments are few and far between, and they usually end quickly, without the need for prolonged animosity or silent treatments. Basically, I’m a master at admitting when I’m wrong and acknowledging when Linda is right. This is something my dad taught me from a young age.

Our anniversary is a reminder that time keeps forging ahead from that gorgeous day in 2014 when we exchanged vows and had all our family and friends over for a party. Linda suggested that we sit down the other night, look at our wedding album and reminisce about our “Big Day.” That didn’t happen (mostly because of the Packers game), but it sounds like a tradition we could start at any time. I think it’s good for any couple to remember their “origin story.” If Linda and I have any advice after seven years of marriage, it’s to never forget the good times.

OUT FOR A WALK

KEVIN O’BRIEN

EDITOR