Tending to Marriage

I've long held fast to the notion that every marriage needs a shrine.

Ideally, a marriage shrine should speak to your heart and to the best of your life with your spouse. It should be the first stop when the inevitable tough times roll in.

Gazing upon your shrine helps you remember the whys of your marriage - why you love each other, why you make each other laugh. And, why one of you isn't buried in the garden under the moon flowers.

My own marriage shrine consists of five photos, each capturing a moment I feel to be the essence of Kenny and I, our "us-ness" if you will. And, I have indeed found it helpful throughout the years to stand before these photos and remember the whys.

It's best not to approach your marriage shrine with a pink magic marker in hand - the temptation to draw a mustache and freckles has, on occasion, been almost more than one could bear. 

Although historically I've had to sometimes drag him to it, Kenny has mostly been on board with our shrine as a road to marital bliss.

But now he's come up with what he thinks to be a better plan. Naked sword fighting.

You just said it out loud, too, didn't you? Naked sword fighting. I did the same thing as Kenny unveiled his plan while opening the box of two wooden swords that arrived with Saturday's mail.

"How on earth could naked sword fighting ever fix anything?"

"Oh, I'm not sure it would fix anything. But it might. Maybe we should practice." Does she detect a wicked smile? "How about now?"

I walk to the kitchen and begin rummaging through my junk drawer.

Kenny follows me, swords in hand. "What are you doing?" he asks.

"I'm looking for my pink magic marker."