Just a Healthy Little Pinch | ihavethoughts... v4

It finally dawned on me, after one year of marriage I figure out why it is that Lauren does not drive me crazy like so many other spouses. Don’t get me wrong she is quite often a pain in my butt which she claims is “just a healthy little pinch” but more often than not we get along great and compliment each nearly perfect.

Back in my dating days I would find girlfriends that I had a lot in common with or shared similar interests thinking this was the answer. The more things we have in common, the more we would get along, right? Well for a while this was true but as time past this became far from the case. Mind you, especially when I was younger, much of the drama or frustration was cause by immaturity or miscommunication but after time even with the most mature and open person it still fell apart. Those common interests were not enough to hold us together.

Lauren and I met many years ago, okay seven-ish plus, but didn’t start dating until a few years later. Oh, I wanted to date her right way but sooommeone need to “work out some things” (I love you dearly sweetheart..;)..). I knew… and yes I did really know, you don’t talk about frogs and play high card low card until 5am with anyone… that we were supposed to be together but there was resistance and what I call a “floozy stage” (she was really not.. I just like to exaggerate). During this entire stage that woman drove me out of my mind crazy!

It wasn’t until the other day that I realize why I unconsciously continued to pursue the girl that drove me to the metaphoric edge of frustration. It happened on a day we were driving to a photo shoot and I was venting away about my frustrations/ struggles with our photography business and the entire time Lauren knew just what to say to change my attitude and forced me to focus more on the positives. And it worked; she pulled me out of the negative spiral that I had fallen into. I showed up to our session and “NAiLed It!!” or at least I felt we did. But during drive home the car became the stage for a venting session from Lauren.

She was so frustrated with the lighting at the shoot that it made her question all her abilities in general. And within seconds, just like she did hours ago, it was me pulling her out of the negative spiral. We traded roles and I was the one pumping her up. This is when I realize that the trick to a great relationship, it’s not your interests, or your similarities, or your personality but it’s the way you complement each other.

Our personalities are far from the same, let face it she is crazy, and there is no doubt I’m weird at best. However, the good traits she possesses balance the bad traits I possess and vice versa. And the traits we have in common are for the most part positive… alright!…we are both lazy gym members… but honestly who isn’t?? We have very similar interests but it is the way our personalities balance each other that make us a happy couple. So now we know its up to us to keep each other happy. When I am down, Lauren always picks me up and I will always to the same.