~Darcy, Knightly, Edward, and Brad~(again)

This is an oldie.....but I just felt like it needed to be re-posted.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

~Darcy, Knightly, Edward, and Brad~ I admit that I am the world's biggest sucker for a great romance. I swoon. (that word is way past it's prime but I can't resist typing it) Any way you slice it, I'm GOING to be a fan. Darcy, cravat and all....... Mr. Knightly. Completely devoted to Emma.........*sigh* Edward absolutely cannot function without knowing Bella is safe. He exists for no other reason than to love her...... The list is long and the stories are oddly similar. He wants her. Needs her, even. The wanting part is better than the needing  because there's nothing you have to do to be wanted except to breathe. Those movies leave you firmly believing that several years and children later, a few pounds heavier, and after every detail of who she is is no longer a  mystery, the man will still want his girl. Really want her. If I ask Brad Wall to live up to the ridiculousness of a vampire madly in love with his soul mate or werewolves imprinting , bless his heart. I mean, c'mon, man. Seriously. If I expect to only ever get an, "As you wish" response from this man I married, I am in deep trouble. Those movies conveniently omit financial stress, selfishness, sleepless nights, a messy house, extreme exhaustion, a broken ice maker, kids with rotten attitudes, long days at the office, and a myriad of other realities. WHO would pay to see that movie?! Quite a while ago, I came to my firm belief that the single most attractive trait in a man is none other than the quality of commitment. Maybe it was when, before Brad was leaving for six months, went out in our backyard at midnight to chop down a tree stump that I was worried about the kids falling over. (In nothing more than his shorts and hiking boots.) I hung out the window, loudly whispering to him, "Stop that! You don't have to chop down that tree right now! It'll be fine!" My heart was screaming, he loves me and cares about these senseless details.  I almost swooned. -sorry. there's that word again. More recently, after having the luxury of spending a week in the woods, hunting deer with one of his best friends, he came home rested. Renewed. As only a guy would know, he told me how God had spoken to him on the deer stand. Weird. I know. It has to be a guy thing. There's no other explanation. (The only thing I would hear on a deer stand would be my teeth chattering or a warm bed calling my name. ) Anyway, in our kitchen, after being home a day or so, he hugged me and very simply said, "Honey, I want you to know I've prayed all these years that God would give me eyes only for you and He's done that.  I'm so thankful for you." he then proceeded to tell me how cute he thinks I am....... TMI. anyway.... It is a moment I will never forget and one almost to intimate to share but I find myself compelled to. And I think this is the reason: I want to challenge you to honor those qualities in your husband that matter. Faithful is something a man can be.  A vampire or mythical millionaire in a top hat? He's not going to measure up. If you are married to a man who is committed to you, give him a big hug tonight. Whether he pumps your gas, bathes your kids, drives them to school, says he's sorry, cleans a bathroom, takes you to dinner, tells you you're cute, or goes to work every day, tell him thanks.   ~stacey