from the husband: being married to a blogger

From the Husband is a special series that my husband, Drew, writes on this blog. It first started when I realized I wanted to post recipes and gardening tips, however, my better half is the real cook in our house, the funny one, and the expert on growing things. I am typically killing our plants and burning our dinners. So, instead of me pretending to know what I'm doing, Drew has started writing posts on recipes, plant life, and other topics for your reading pleasure. I hope you enjoy!

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Hey, world! It’s the hubby again. This time, Jenny asked me to write about something that could get me in some serious trouble. What is it like being married to a blogger? Any of you men reading this know how scary a question like this can be. It reminds me of those questions like “You’re free this weekend, right?”, “Would you like to do a …quick … little… project with me?” or “Guess how much this cute thing costs?!” There seem like few safe answers to any of these questions. It seems like, unless I really think about my answer, I could quickly put myself in the dog house.

Luckily after this intense flash of fear I calmed down, because I remembered who I married. For so many years she has put up with my senselessness, lack of forethought in the small things that matter, and, more than anything, she has loved me through every blunder, misstep, thoughtless word, and action. She has always forgiven me even when I don’t deserve it, and no matter what she says, I know that I am the lucky one.

So really when I go back to the initial question, “What is it like being married to a blogger?” we need to understand my frame of reference. I am married to a magnificent woman who pushes me to be more like Christ by living out His Truth toward this goofball every single day. There is something wonderfully captivating and unexplainable about my wife that makes me confused, content, and sure of my place in life right by her side. I know I may never understand why she is the way she is, but I am so thankful that she is mine.

That being said, let's take a look at what it is like being married to my wife, the blogger. I think one reason Jenny is so good at what she does is the fact that she is creative and highly artistic. That being said, some of the stereotypical traits associated with the "artsy" type are definitely found in her. I have come to expect: spontaneous decorating/redecorating sessions, long times spent in stores that feed her creative instinct, that she views her world through a lens of emotion, pictures will be taken wherever we go (and don't question it!), artistic projects are not only something to do together, but often, and that everything can be made to be beautiful.

Warning: Creative types are oftentimes weird. Here are some outtakes from outfit posts that seemed otherwise "normal"

I will admit, the excursions through stores like World Market, the weekend projects that keep me from sleeping on Saturday, the afternoons spent hunched on our floor building the next frame, table, or box can try my patience and willpower in the moment. Not to mention the Instagram uploads on date night or the effort to make EVERYthing cute. If you're not in a relationship with an artist, or at least someone with a creative spirit, I will let you know that those of us who are sometimes think we are going to lose our minds. There is only so much artistic effort us regular folks can handle putting forth or even observing before we crack.

But, there is the upside. I will admit, during the first few months of our marriage I didn't get it. I never realized there was an upside. Some of you in a relationship with an artistic type may not have realized it yet and if you haven't, I assure you it's worth finding. The upside is hard to describe initially, but most great things are. One upside is that I get to come home to our beautiful apartment. I'll admit it isn't much, but my wife has made this little space ours. She has made it our home. Before I got married I was living with 2 of my college buddies and we just threw a couch, TV  and lawn chairs in a room and called it home. It was functional (us guys are good at that) but it wasn't home and it certainly wasn't beautiful. You all have seen many parts of our home in previous posts (like this one and this one) and I can't tell you the satisfaction and peace I have when I enter this sanctuary of beauty and rest.

Projects. Again, I used to perceive this as a mild annoyance just like Jenny's constant decorating. But over the last few months I have come to learn that these projects can be a little fun. Don't get me wrong, I don't have fun doing the project. I have fun with Jenny. And the Saturdays we spend working on these projects where I thought I would rather be napping are actually spent with my best friend living my life. AND she is chronicling our life in this blog and the picture after picture that we are going to have to get some serious storage space for.

Being married to a blogger, or any creative type, can be annoying at times. It can drive you up the wall, test your patience and make you wish for one simple moment. It can make you feel like you are losing your mind. But, I like to think that in spite of all that, it is the most wonderful thing that I have ever done. Jenny and her artsy self have made me a better person. I have become more able to see the beauty in the world around me and appreciate it for what it is. So here is your short answer. Being married to a blogger can be difficult, but I would never ask for anything else.