The Mysteries... and Blessings... of Wives

Coach Doug Broadhead grabbed my football helmet's face mask angerily. Nervously, I awaited the so-called "advice" that was about to be blared at me. With spit-soaked sunflower seeds pelting my face, my coach said something that cut me straight to the heart: "Stop thinkin' about the ---- girls and play the game!"

It's true, I've always had a difficult time keeping my daydreams about those "---- girls" out of important events. While dating Emily, I would often sit in my lectures at Snow College with dazed eyes , resting my cheek upon my hand like Opie (Ron Howard) did during school on a dang episode of The Andy Griffith Show. I argue that it's not my fault I've always been the "Daydream Davey." Even after being married, I still find myself sitting in those lectures here at USU thinking about little miss Emily; what she would be doing right then, if she was going to make me dinner, and (more recently) what life would be like after we start having kids.

Now before my manhood is muffed, let me state that my elder brother Gilbert and his wife Lindsey are expecting these days, along with two other of my good friends' wives. All this "baby talk" has gotten me thinking about the subject, that's for sure. But the keyword is indeed just thinking. Em and I both feel that we would like to wait a couple of years before we "unleash hell" as Ted Harmon, an elderly man from my home ward in Wyoming, put it, referring to having children.

We did get a scare a month ago, however. Em came to me one day and told me that we should probably buy a pregnancy test to "just make sure." Nervously, I drove us down to Wal-Mart and picked out one of those "100% Sure" preggers tests. On the drive home, Em told me something that boggled my mind then, and still puzzles me now. "Dave," she said "you realize that no matter what this test says, I'm going to cry." There was a small break of silence. Jimmy Buffet's Pina Colada song was playing lightly on the radio as my slow man-processors compiled the information into my brain. Timidly, I thought of the options at hand: (1) laugh and risk endangerment and possible divorce, or (2) quietly nod and say "Yes, honey, I understand." With the moments ticking by, I could feel my wife growing impatient from the silence. Frantically I chose option two. "Thanks," she said. Whew... I had survived. Well the test results came back negative, which ultimately is what both Em and I want at this time in our life. But just as Em predicted, those water-works turned full-flow. I found myself holding Em as she cried and sobbed. Remembering counsel from my best friend Jacob Thomas, that "women don't want you to fix it, but just to hold them and listen," I held Em and let it rain. Things were going great, but my manhood started to catch up. This desire to fix the problem came screaming from inside. Suddenly I blurted: "But Em, this is what we wanted... right?"

I am a lucky man. Em is the best wife in the world. She takes good care of me and loves me through all the teasing, pestering, and "fixing" that I attempt to give her. After applying to the Special Ed and Rehab program here at USU, I made a comment to Em that I was nervous that I wouldn't make it in, after hearing that the admittance was challenging and limited and that many students had applied. Without missing a beat, Em said, "Dave, I know you'll get in. I have faith in you." There was so much determination in her voice, I couldn't help but be awed and my fears subdued. Yesterday we received an envelope from the university proclaiming that, just as Em's faith showed, I had been admitted.

I figured, right before I got married, that I was close to understanding and revealing the mysteries and blessings of women. But the more that time goes by, the more I realize that I am not even close to the bottom. Em and I celebrated our sixth-month wedding anniversary on the 23rd, and on that day I thought about how great it is to be married to Emily. I may not understand all the mysteries of my wife, nor can I fully comprehend the blessings that she is for me, but one thing is for certain: I am extremely grateful for her.

How Sweet is That?

So there I am feeling guilty that the TV is on even though I've written notes on Human Biology until I can't write anymore and of course someone knocks on the door. Little did I know that the person I was jumping up and flipping off the TV for was my own sweetheart coming home from his classes holding flowers and chocolate! I've never been so surprised...ok so when he proposed to me I was more surprised...but it was the cutest and sweetest thing ever. The best part is that he had bought them and was asking me to go to the formal institute dance this Friday with him!!! You should know I love dances particularly when the hottest guy is my date and has eyes for only me! Just to top off the wonderful surprise he also told me that I get a little spending money on Friday to use however I want during the time that he makes dinner at the apartment. After which, he'll let me come back and we'll be joined by none other than the good man Jacob L. Thomas with his beautiful date. I feel a little "Young" to be getting so excited about a dance that my husband asked me to but that doesn't change the fact that I'm thrilled to be going! I swear I married the sweetest, most thoughtful man alive!