As we got more serious and our "hypothetical situation" became "So, probable situation..." - seriously, we actually said those exact words - it became pretty certain we were both in it for the longest of all hauls. I had decided with absolute certainty a while back
I had a plan to propose in a very special way in a very special place. I'd had this plan since I was 16 or 17. I was pumped, everything was falling into place and the planets were aligning. But as the time approached, she started to get (understandably) suspicious that I'd be taking a knee soon.
I had to throw her off the scent, so I intimated that it would probably happen a few months later than her guess.
You know, like a liar.
Well, it was a lie as pure as the driven snow, and I got to see her eyes widen in shock as I asked her the most important question of our lives. Everybody wins.
I like throwing off her expectations and springing sweetness on her. It's one of my favorite things to do. I've got to keep her on her toes lest I become a bore.
Now a few nights ago we both got into a discussion which led to a heated discussion, which led to a fight, which led to an obstinate battle of wills. As the night grew later, we got crankier and less coherent and less rational. We finally resolved the issue, called a truce, and went to sleep too exhausted for resentment.
The next day I had to get up at an ungodly hour and head to work. I kissed her head before I left and she didn't stir. Sheesh, it had been a late night. That whole day I was running on not much sleep, and as the radio silence continued between us my tired brain grew more and more anxious. Were we still fighting after all? Is this not over? What am I coming home to?
I texted her about an unrelated, neutral topic during class to test the waters. No response.
I was decidedly in no rush to get home. And all of my fretting had built up a lot of stress, so I hit the gym after class. On my way home I tentatively called her at work to try and establish how we felt now that we had slept on it. She picked up, but within seconds had to put me on hold.
Busy day at the office.
She picked up again, sounding very frazzled and distracted. She asked about dinner plans and if I was home yet. Nope, just left the gym.
"Oh."
(shuffling of papers and telephone ringing)
"Just call me later, ok?"
"Oh... ok." was my timid response. Was I helping or hurting her mood? What was doing more damage, me or her job?
Busy day at the office?
So I biked home, soooooo tired after a strenuous workout, a full day of work and school and a trip home in the hot hot heat, all on under 5 hours of shuteye. I was miserable. My wife either couldn't or didn't want to talk to me. Really? Or is this just the sleep deprivation talking? How rational am I being right now?
I head downstairs to our hobbit hole apartment and see a little green note on the door:
"I love you!"
I crack a weak grin. We used to leave notes all the time the first few months after we got married and ran off to our respective jobs. Looks like the treaty held up today after all.
I open the door and see another identical note above the light switch. And another on the bedroom door. And another on the TV. On the fridge, the counter, the bookshelf, my pillow, my half of the bed, the desk, the computer, the bathroom mirror. Almost twenty little green i love you squares are checkered all over the apartment.
All waiting for me.
I almost cried.
(*cough* That I blame on the sleep deprivation)
It had been a bad fight. It had been a bad day. It had been a bad phone call. And to come home to this...
I called her back and told her I loved what she did thank you so so much. She told me that was why she told me to call her back when I got home.
She threw me off the scent.
I love that I married a woman who likes to trick me sweetly. We keep each other on our toes that way.
How do you like to surprise someone? Do you get sweetly duped?
S
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