I recently had a conversation with one of my brothers. It started out with him commenting on me “popping out one baby after another”, and me asking him what was wrong with that…that I happen to like my kids. To which he answered, “Nothing. You’re just living an average country lifestyle.” Now, I could debate how “country” my lifestyle is, seeing as how I live pretty much in “town”, I don’t even have a garden, and we own just about an acre of land that our house sits on. I didn’t bring up any of that, but, instead, said that I thought I lived an average “married” lifestyle. People tend to have kids after they get married. He was like, “No. Not really. You don’t know what it’s like outside of this area. It’s not the normal thing.” I didn’t press the issue, but I’ve thought a lot about it. I really don’t feel the need to box up my life with a title, anyway. It’s my life, and it’s not quite the same as anyone else’s. It makes me happy. My brother has much disdain for my lifestyle, but he must not understand how good it is. No, I don’t go out clubbing. I don’t drink or smoke. I don’t run around. I don’t even wear the same clothes that most people do.
Instead, I am married to my best friend. I trust him 100%. I never have to worry about where he is, or who he is with. I don’t ever have to worry that he is going to squander the money that we need to live and pay our bills. I know that he is always going to be there for me. I know that he loves me for who I am. He’s held me while I have cried, held me up while I was so sick with our first baby that I couldn’t hold myself upright to get sick, and sat by my side at the hospital during times that I have been sick or had surgery. He’s always there. We enjoy each other’s company, and spend hours just talking to each other. I don’t have to make a few phone calls to track him down, or schedule a time to get together. He’s just always there. Because we are married. No, I don’t wonder what it would be like to be with someone else. Why would I? He’s my best friend. We are happy.
And, yes, I know that we have already exceeded the normal two kids per family, but, so what? We love our kids. We even go so far as to like our kids. We enjoy spending time as a family. They are great kids. We laugh and laugh at the things that they do and say. I have a blog devoted to pictures of them, because I enjoy them so much I just want to share them with my friends and family. I think they are awesome. Yeah, it’s a little harder to go out to eat with three kids, but we still do it. They sit and eat just like anyone, and we enjoy being a family. It’s not just about me and Chris anymore, but it’s about the family that we have created. It’s important to us. It makes us happy.
So, no, my life might not be what some people consider exciting, but I would almost bet that I enjoy a level of contentment that they don’t. My life isn’t perfect. We have problems just like everyone else. It is a good life, though. It makes me happy. I do consider it exciting, though. Just look at what is waiting on the horizon for my family. The world! What could be more exciting than exeriencing all that life has to offer with four people who love me and love being with me? Not much from what I can see.
So, don’t feel sorry for me. Don’t worry about me. My life is far better than I ever could have imagined it.