Tuesday 25 January 2011

LET ME COUNT THE REASONS

It has been brought to my attention that JP doesn't always get the respect from me, that he so obviously deserves; mostly by those of you who have not been with me from the beginning, and so for that reason I decided to re-post this, from early 2009. With a  minor change.

by Moannie
Fifty one  five years we have lasted. There has to be a reason other than, well, habit, I thought, and, keeping note book and pen to hand began to make a list.

1. He knows how a washing machine works and uses it. He has never thrown dirty clothes on to the floor expecting me to pick 'em up and launder them.

2. He irons without diminishing his masculinity in the least. In fact he is at his most attractive when wielding an iron.

3. He ran for me once...and he never runs. In a crisis he walks very quickly.

4. He still pronounces Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes-Shakeass-peare and Sheltock Hol mess, and calls a sheet a shit.

5. He takes pride in my achievements.

6. He washes the dishes after every meal. He says 'You cook, I wash.'

7. He kisses the back of my neck and says I smell the same as I did when me met.

8. He does not appear to see the ravages of time on my face.

9. He has beautiful hands.

10. And handwriting.

11. His feet never smell.

12. He honours his father and his mother.

13. He took care of my mother.

14. And in so doing moved to England and settled down here.

15. He still retains his Frenchness.

16. He never fails to compliment the chef...moi.

17. He watched every minute of my graduation ceremony without moving from the edge of his seat; even during the long, rather boring speeches.

18. And he wore a tie.

19. He buys me flowers almost every week.

20. He loves to shop for groceries [like that he gets to buy the cheeses he prefers]


Now if the preceding list makes JP out to be some paragon of virtue do not be misled. I just might make the time to write out another list containing his many faults and failings. Meanwhile, men, don't hate him as setting the bar too high, I have probably exaggerated in his favour, after all he is helping me towards a new PC and a girls gotta do, etc. etc.

45 comments:

  1. That is a great list. You are so lucky to have that many years with him. I would love to hear his list on you!

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  2. This was the sweetest thing ever!! You totally made my day!! I can only hope to acheive what the two of you have worked so long and hard at establishing. Just one question: Did the laundry thing come from the beginning or was that a learned trait? Okay two questions: If it was a learned trait can you treat me how to get my man to do this??

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  3. Moannie, this post made my day. I know nobody is perfect, and I love your last paragraph for saying so...BUT a part of me still hopes for a man who meets at least 5 points of your list above. God bless!
    Tanya

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  4. ...and no!! I KNOW Dad/JP isnt perfect by any means....

    but he can be the sweetest man at times...

    I am 52 and last year when kissing me before we went to our beds...in our family we kiss french style (each facial cheek) good morning, goodnight, hello, goodbye, or for any other reason d'etre...that takes our fancy..a very tactile family indeed (one of things I missed during my 29 year marriage)

    and in this instance said good night lala ( a pet name of his for me) ... and dont forget to brush your teeth...WTF?? I laughed for about an hour...sweet huh!?

    he also proffers food to me over and over, fixes anything that is broken or nearly broken, with wire, a glue gun or superglue....see moannies door knocker or UGG posts..

    and is the reason why l have never had to ask a man to do polish my shoes, mend a fuse, hang anything from wallpaper to a picture, paint, or mend anything...it must be a Fab' family trait...we are all by blood Bodgers of the highest order...and don;t like it when i am away from medical kit or my bodger tool kit for any long period of time...I CAN fix it...

    good one Mum/Moannie

    luv saz x

    he also says shoo - lassets instead of shoe laces...

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  5. It seems you live a charmed life, as does your husband and daughter. SMILE

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  6. This was a delightful post about a relationship that still find charm in the little things that make marriage something to treasure. I love that he not a saint, but that he is a man that has kept life interesting. Also, I love that you know which side your bread is buttered on. Smart lady.

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  7. He sounds pretty wonderful to me but he'd have to be.. look at the top-notch woman he's married to.

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  8. He sounds perfectly dreamy to me. Sounds like YOU are dreamy to him. Very sweet.

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  9. He's "a keeper" and I know that you are, also. Looks to me like you're a perfect pair.

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful partnership and I am sure he would make a similar list about you.

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  11. I remember when you originally posted this I was sure JP must be a God. But, after all, he's usually a pretty good guy. I'm sure you could have done worse.

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  12. Love....love in every way...and apart from the french my husband deserves a tick in about 15 of those 20 boxes..how lucky are we??

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  13. Though admittedly just a 'newlywed' myself (at 40), this was lovely ... and inspiring!

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  14. Moannie, this is so great. I am sitting here slightly tearing up (and this girl doesn't easily tear up) and only imaging what me and the hubs will be like after our 50th anniversary. I'm glad you have JP a shoutout, it let us readers have a little more intimate peek into your lovely world.

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  15. How lovely is this list - so important to remind yourself of all the wonderful things about someone you love. How lovely of you to share it with us all.

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  16. awww how lovely :) I wish my marriage had stood the test of time like that. Well done to you both.

    http://lyndylou-whocares.blogspot.com

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  17. You are a very, very lucky lady and I hope you appreciate your near perfect husband. I know that you do!!!!!!!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  18. I haven't been reading but about a month now....how did you meet him? I love the fact that your daughter adores him.....how many children do you have? You are so blessed to have found each other....and known it was meant to be.

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  19. There is definitely something attractive about a man that irons and does his own laundry.

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  20. My husband and I are only 5 years married, but I can still relate to some of these. :) Great list!

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  21. I don't think my feet smell, but I could be wrong.

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  22. Please could you give us the bad points or we will curl up in a heap of despair!

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  23. He's a keeper! But you already knew that or you'd have exchanged him long ago.
    Fifty? I thought I had the longest marriage at forty five this year.

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  24. This does indeed give us a warm glow. My parents have been married nearly 58 years and I think they'd come up with their own but equally charming list.
    We should all be aiming for a relationship such as this...
    Good luck to you Moanie!

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  25. There are good men in this world and it warms my heart tremendously when a woman writes of the one she loves. Beautiful.

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  26. It sounds like love to me.

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  27. Moannie, first of all you have no IDEA how much I've missed you and your blog. Your posts always touched me and continue to do so...

    Secondly, I must confess that this posting made me cry... I recently went through a divorce myself and must say we, me and my ex-husband, could have learnt so much from you. So young, so impatient, so stupid.

    You are a wise, beautiful and intelligent woman Moannie! Thank you for sharing this.

    I wish you love and all the happiness there is! Take care. Love Ida (the "Diary of Pienovski")

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  29. Impressive. I really admire couples like that, and dream one day to have a happy marriage, it seems to me to be his. Your blog is wonderful, I read it every day. Big hug!

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  30. Last night I spent an hour answering each and every one of you...thanking you for coming here and taking time to leave comments. But for some reason, when I pressed 'post comment' they all disappeared. Saz thinks it was because the whole thing was too long.

    Next time I will do a few at a time, but for now...Thank you so much...every comment means so much to me.

    There were two specific questions from Minute man's wife and Leave it to Davis: The laundry thing is learned, and I would love to have thanked his mother for that; sadly, she died before I could meet her. And, we met when he was a nineteen year old student of English here in my home town.We married in '58 and have three children.

    XXXXXX to you all.

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  31. It's so nice to see that a couple can make it the end these days. My parents have been married for 38 years and are having some bad times right now. It's hard to wake up one day and find out that your parents don't like each other the way they did when you were a kid. A broken home is no fun to go home to. Your list reminds me that my parents really do love each other, it will just take some time and healing to get them there again. Being married myself for 8 years in May I know that it's not always peachy, but thank you for posting the good and not bad.

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  32. That was a lovely homage! I think I may write up a list about my hubby too - it's a good thing to do, to remind ourselves of the good things and not dwell on the annoying ones!!!

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  33. Lovely stuff, Moannie. You are BOTH blessed to have each other.

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  34. The French are different. Always have been and always will be.

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  35. He sounds wonderful and combining that with the other things you have said only makes him human.
    Congratulations on so many amazing years.

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  36. To love and be beloved for a lifetime is a wonderful, exceptional gift. (And maybe a little bit of work.)

    Congratulations. :)

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  37. This was a very beautiful post. It's refreshing to see someone dwell on the positive attributes of someone. Hopefully one day I'll find myself a man and be able to do the same for him down the road.

    Congratulations on everything!!

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  38. WOW. so very very very sweet. i wish i got a man like him someday x)
    my regard to your husband, ma'am =)

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  39. Nice to meet you Moannie....and congratulations :)

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  40. ahhhhhhhhh, love is so sweet in your words. JP..does in fact sound like the man of many a womans dreams. Fifty five years! You are truly blessed! I'm way too independant to even stay with someone 55 days, hahahahaha!

    I can't wait to read more!

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  41. Wow that's amazing that the two of you have lasted so long and that you and he have such a wonderful relationship after all those years. you give hope to us younger lovers that hope to be as happy as you and your husband are when we celebrate our 50+ anniversaries.

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