a. e. smith’s official website

I didn’t think I’d make it.   I love my husband, I just wasn’t sure I could handle 365 days of uninterrupted married life.  Now, it turns out, I’m signing on for more.  Just what has gotten into me?  I mean, I never thought I’d get married in the first place.

Marriage never seemed like a good fit for me.  I always wondered just what kind of guy would it take to convince me that living selfishly, fiercely and joyfully independent wasn’t as much fun as sharing a life with an icky boy.  In the past year I have certainly had a lot of fun with my husband Darrell.  We’ve traveled, told inappropriate jokes, and made new friends along the way.

I admit that when I read this article about the benefits of being single, I felt a twinge of nostalgia.  I’m not ashamed to say that I enjoyed being single.  Reveled in it, actually.  This marriage thing is new and unexpected.  There are days I wonder what I’m doing here.  (You mean I was supposed to take the ‘A’ train?)  Most of the time I just thing it’s a grand, funny, beautiful life.  I am literally entertained every day.  Between my cat and my husband, I’m adored in our home.  Just for being here.

I’m probably supposed to get into sappier territory here.  Perhaps quote some famous movie line that sounds good but is actually a myth.  “You complete me.”  Please.  If we weren’t complete before marriage then we’re both idiots for taking home  unfinished products.  I don’t think another person can ever complete you.  They can influence, inspire, love, and bring out the best in you — but complete?  That’s what I love about my marriage: we don’t look to the other to give us meaning in our lives.  We’re just 2 happy people joyfully enjoying the ride together.  And we’ve managed to do it without any stupid pet names, either.

For the first time in my life, I have had roses blooming outside my window.  This summer has witnessed loads of roses in the front yard.  As such, I took it upon myself to try being a florist for a while.  All summer I have been forcing my creations on unassuming neighbors who humor me because I seem like a nice person (little do they know).

But alas, summer is ending and it seems my thorny beauties won’t thrive much longer.  I’ve enjoyed filling our home with fresh roses.  I’ve decided that I should always have fresh flowers in the house.  They turned my so-so living room into a work of art.  No wonder all those fancy interior design magazine photo shoots always have them on hand.

Regardless, it seems flowers might be hard to have year round in a place like Utah.  I suppose that as winter descends I’ll have to be content with my green houseplants and the occasional poinsettia.  Then again, a break from weeding, pruning and other yard-related tasks is definitely a happy occasion in my book.