Brag On Him – Week 6

Our “Brag On Him” Friday post this week comes from Rebecca of Toothwhale.

My husband, Jake, and I like to talk about the things we’ll do together when we’re old. Things like live in a college town again, see lots of movies at the theater, and take our grandkids to Pizza Hut. Neither of us can imagine a world without the other, and we’re optimistic that we’ll be walking around the mall together at 84.

I’m hoping genes and good luck get me there, but Jake is actively pursuing longevity through superfoods and fitness. He jogs in the neighborhood and at the parks. He hits the track for speed work. He plays soccer on and off in an adult league. He’s working on his tennis game. He lifts weights in the garage and at the gym. And, he’ll occasionally throw in a bike ride or a swim.

Exercise makes him feel good and relieves stress. He says it helps him breathe.

It also takes time. For years, I resented the time it took. I once called my mom to complain that he was running again. She surprised me by not being sympathetic. Instead, she said something to the effect that if that was the worst he had for me, I should be grateful.

I’m coming around to grateful. To be fair, he spoils me with attention and affection. He calls me just to say “hi” and hear my voice. If I’m feeling like Queen Crab of the Crabby Kingdom, he coaxes me out of my funk in just the right persistent and funny way. He gives me presents that I love but didn’t ask for. And, very importantly, he’s a Superpop to our two young children. He plays music and jumps our daughter on the couch during their “dance parties,” and he works on sounding out words with our son. He has a career that requires tremendous compassion and mental energy, but he finds more within himself for us at home.

If he needs to squeeze in a workout before dinner or take a quick run during nap, it seems like a small thing to ask. I want him to be happy. Exercise helps. I want him to be healthy. Exercise helps. Fifty years from now, I want him to walk the quiet streets of our college town with me, to pass me the popcorn, and laugh with our children’s children over a slice of cheese and pepperoni. We’re going to need good luck to make it there, but all the work(outs) he’s doing may help, too. So, if taking time to exercise is the worst he has for me, I think mom’s right: I should be grateful.

Rebecca is a thirtysomething mom of two. Her son Henry is four, and her daughter Harper is two. She’s been married for a long time to her college sweetheart, Jake. They live in and love Nashville. She is currently a stay-at-home parent. Toothwhale is a nickname her husband gave to her. She started her blog Toothwhale to record details of Henry and Harper’s childhoods in a dynamic way, and for the writing practice.

“Brag on him, don’t nag on him”, Fridays on Wedded Bliss, is our new weekly meme. If you’d like to submit a “brag on him” post, please e-mail me at malia@blissfullydometic.com!