Once you've been married longer than most whales live, you start to take on a unique perspective of your spouse. You no longer overlook, or ignore the obvious. As an example, you start to make little snarky remarks about her weight like, "Let's take a vacation to Japan to see the cherry blossoms and visit their female sumo schools." Or, "I'm getting reinforced suspensions for your car this Christmas." These comments are best said late in the day as to avoid a complete day of robust tirades. Comments about her cooking should be more delicate, as eating out may well ensue, but worth it for some. Tell her you want to watch your weight and cut back on such things as dinner or anything from the stove or oven. Tell her you want to always look good for her, especially when she wins the Asian National Sumo Championships.

     Okay, I'm just having fun with this blog and none of this would ever, ever apply to my mama-san wifey. She would actually get a kick out of reading this if it wert for the fact I delete them the same day I post. Back to  a long marriage; True, a good lasting marriage is indeed like good aged cheese, with the right amount of mold and a little on the stinky side. In time you start to see the real person behind all the wrinkles, various hair dyes and the raspberry lipstick. It's a gentler and more loving person. Someone who has always shared your dreams, hopes and pains, and will always continue to do so until your life insurance hits the mailbox. That's devotion.  

     Here is where I tell you of how much I love her, and about all she has been through for me. So much I wish I could have done and given her. At least we share the blessings of our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As long as I still can see the beauty in her and continue to fall in love with her each day, I'll never grow old. All of this is simply expressed each and every night in three gentle words. As we cozy up to each other in the comfort and solitude of our bed, these words automatically are said and meant. These same emotional words that have been expressed throughout our decades together...._"Did you fart?!"_