Reflecting on Relationships
My grandparents just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Yep, you read that right. Sixty whole years of wedded almost-bliss. And if that doesn't make you believe in eternal love or at least eternal tolerance, I don't know what will.
I mean, they're basically the gold medalists of this marriage marathon, and here I am struggling to commit to a single brand of toothpaste. But as I sat through their anniversary celebration, equal parts captivated and confused by their unfathomable longevity, it got me thinking about the rollercoaster that is Relationships (capital ‘R’, mind you). Spoiler alert: it’s rarely a smooth ride.
Okay, folks—let's admit that while reflecting on relationship marriage milestones they often look like Jackson Pollock decided to start painting season three of your favorite drama series: it's all over the place. From Netflix binges that lead to existential epiphanies about the absurdity of space, to those soulful talks that stretch into the ungodly hours of morning, only to reveal a profound shared dislike for brunch. Who needs avocado toast? Not us! These are the moments that pile up, layer by quirky layer.
And let's not forget about the dizzying milestones, these particularly peculiar markers that give every relationship a signpost. Think birthdays, anniversaries...that one regrettable holiday in Vegas where we unofficially learned he's absolutely terrible at gambling but superb at sneaking snacks into the pool. Acts of daring courage, right there.
Yet, here's where it gets real deep, guys. These reflections aren't just for showing off on Instagram like we're winning life's scavenger hunt one adorable couple photo at a time. They force vital reflections that your inner philosopher (who's probably wearing an imaginary pair of much-too-high-waisted jeans) would approve of wholeheartedly.
For instance, pondering over that first shared I-love-you and realizing that yes, it was probably groundbreaking—that’s a feeling everyone marked as 'Savage-Daily-Challenge Level: Expert'. Or trying to recall that first it's-so-not-a-date date and wondering who on Earth would ever prefer dubstep over indie rock THAT loudly (Spoiler: it was you).
And here's the kicker, the moment we all seek to reach eventually, like the lost final season of a prematurely canceled series: enduring gratitude. Some rare day much further down the timeline, you'll glimpse each other sous smashing the caviar on a Tuesday brunch or high-fiving over who washed more socks, and there it will be. Real, beaten-up, fleshed-out gratitude—remarkable, significant.
So, yes. Kudos to those who make it through the wild brambles of romantic entanglements to see something true, warty, and totally Instagram-proof in each other. And as my quipping heart boldly continues to decide on matters of the heart, understanding it can indeed be silly, weird, inexplicable, but certainly joyous—Bravo! Here's to discovering newfound nooks of love and happily dancing like wobbly toddlers into the infinity of marriage milestones. Cheers to love, laughter, and absurd amounts of bandwidth together.