Respecting his Appetite

Growing up, I had the BIGGEST sweet tooth ever.
If we ever stopped by the gas station on the way to church to fill up the car, I'd run inside and buy a pint of icecream with my own money and have that for breakfast. I'd eat half a gallon of icecream in one sitting at home. It's amazing how I was not an obese child growing up. I'd having hot wing eating contests with the guys, or eat full large pies of pizza on orchestra trips in high school. It's really bad and borderline amazing how much I ate growing up... and still stayed ever so tiny. Of course as I got into college, that magical metabolism went away, and I could no longer expect to go to Waffle House at 2am, and maintain my clothing size.
After a while, my sweet tooth was replaced with this love for spicy things. I will put tabasco or whatever other hot sauce is available at the time to anything and everything. I love hot wings. I love dipping my french fries in ketchup mixed with tabasco. I love squirting Sriacha sauce to anything relatively asian. And I love adding some habanero sauce to anything Tex-Mex/Spanish/Mexican. YUM. #mouthissalivating.

So, when I met Michael, it was so strange to find someone love sweets as much as he does. He loves icecream, chocolate, oreos, french toast.
And very recently, we have been trying to be healthier. Not for the sake of seeing a certain number on the scale, or to be able to fit into clothes from x seasons ago. But just for the sake of being healthy. So when I send Michael out to the grocery store for one thing, and he shows up with that one thing plus icecream... it's half humoring, but also when my control gauge turns on.
Several weeks ago, I bought a pack of oreos because I wanted to replace the oreo icing with toothpaste and give them to him as an April Fool's joke. I failed. So Michael's been able to enjoy some oreos every evening. Serving size is 3 cookies, but he insists on having 4. Last night, he snuck in 5.
And later that evening, I realized... instead of chasing him around the house to try to grab that last cookie from him... I should have just let him have it. He's been doing well all throughout the day. He's been making an effort to eat his 5 meals a day. He's been staying away from the heavy stuff and icecream at work. Just let him have a piece of heaven in the evening when he's trying to unwind from the day.
Because I've never snuck in a Girl Scout cookie, or stopped by McDonald's for their fries before..... ;)

Respecting his clothes

I love style.
That doesn't always mean I like being trendy or laced with brands head to toe though. But I do appreciate a cute pair of peep toes from Cole Haan or shift dress from Anthropologie.

When Michael and I first started dating, I refused to be seen in the same thing twice. And if Michael would spontaneously call to hang out, and I was wearing something he had seen me in before, I'd run over to the store and buy a new outfit.
But as far as he went, I thought he was so adorable. He'd either be in his khakis and work polo, or a pair of chino shorts, a polo, and his Sperrys. I was so excited because I thought I was finally getting my preppy frat boy.
Boy was I wrong.
He is gratefully very aware of how he's dressed, but it's different from what I initially thought. I thought he'd be in seersucker pants, and plaid bow ties every other weekend. Nope.
So for the first several months we were together, I'd buy him an oxford shirt here.. a pair of chinos there, but I started to realize there's no need for me to dress him up. He's not my doll, nor does he need to be dressed to be put on display.
I have much to be grateful for. He knows how to iron his own clothes, and he will be in a bowtie, chinos, and a Brooks Brothers blazer in a minute at the appropriate times.
I have to remind myself that there were times where I'd see him in a t-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts, and I thought he looked hot in them with his chiseled and lean calves.

It doesn't mean I can't buy things for him, or share my opinion with him. Because he does the same for me. But I need to remind myself the things that are important in our relationship, and the things that make him the man that I love.

Respecting His Kingdom (Home)

House chores have never been my forte.
I love living in a clean living space, and I love staying organized. But growing up, that wasn't really expected of me. Everything for the most part, was done for me. I'll never forget when I was around 10 years old, I went over to one of my friend's house for dinner. After dinner, I got up and thanked my friend's mother for dinner. She stopped me, and told me that in her house, everyone puts their plates and silverware in the sink. I was so mortified! It was never my intentions to be rude, but I just didn't know any better.

Fast forward give or take 10 years, and I started dating Michael. Having him as my first substantial boyfriend.. who had his own living space was a wake up call. I had an internal freak out moment. Who's going to clean the dishes? Do the laundry? Vacuum the house? Clean the toilets? me.

So from very early on in our relationship, I started to take on a lot of house roles. Just so I could learn how to do them. And if I didn't end up marrying Michael, it'd be good to know with whoever I ended up marrying.

With all that being said, I wish I could say I'm a clean master. But I'm not. And God knew this all along, because he has given me the most patient and understanding man ever. But this doesn't mean I am to take advantage of his patience, and see how far I can go. I need to make it a priority to continue to help around with the chores. And in doing that, I am respecting not only his wishes of having a tidy home, but also respecting the house that he bought for us.

With that, I leave you with a darling song I just came across...

Happy Friday! :)