Mom's and Marriage

My Parents at their 50th anniversary party.

When I was around 14 or so I was looking for my mom after school.  It was around 4 pm and I found her in her bathroom putting makeup on and curling her hair. I found this to be a little ridiculous
and was wondering with the day almost over why she was wasting her time.  "Mom," I said. "It's 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  I think it's a little late to be putting on makeup, you'll just wash it off in a few hours."

My mom had a very simple reply.  "Your dad will be home soon and I want to look beautiful for him."  This reply taught me a lot.  At the time I thought it was sweet, but it has taught me even more since that time.  It taught me that marriage needs to have a lot more giving than taking.  There is a whole lot of "My husband should love me not matter what I look like" and "I only get dressed up to please myself and no one else" going around.  It's true that you should please yourself with how you look and and that your husband should love you no matter what you look like (and my husband and my father both give that love unconditionally).  But that does not mean that you shouldn't try to please your husband.

My mom is a great example to me teaching me how to work on my marriage.  As my kids know, when mom and dad go out on dates, we are working on our marriage.  When they see mom and dad hugging or kissing, we are working on our marriage.   Doing simple things like making yourself look nice for your spouse is working on your marriage.

Thank you mom for the example you are to me.  I would not be the woman I am today without you.

Happy Mothers Day