Being a Wife in Takes Patience: A Wife's Perspective on How to Keep a Marriage Going Strong

I have spent my time surrounded by wives of all different walks of life. At my children's school, at church, at the grocery store, at the gas station, anywhere in this world that you could go, you will found someone who is a wife. I myself am a wife.

I consider myself a friendly person, and subsequently have met literally hundreds of wives over the years. We will sit for coffee, have play dates with the kids, chat on the net, converse on the phone and most of the chatter is over the children and the husbands. I tend to listen more than talk; I like to observe more than participate; I think it is just my nature.

I have listened to wives complain about finances, and how they wish their husband would help out around the house more. . I hear the usual complaints about how their husbands do not do the dishes, or the laundry, or how they wish their husbands would change a diaper now and then. Many of the wives have complained to me that their husbands spend too much time on the computer, or they sit around the house on the weekends, or do nothing but watch football. Believe me I have heard it all! Some of the largest complaints are how their husbands forget their birthdays or anniversaries.

As I sit and ponder all that I have heard, I can't help but smile. They have no idea how trivial and insignificant those things really are.

If my husband doesn't do the dishes today, I do not mind, because he has eaten the meal with us.

If my husband never picks up his laundry today, and even leaves his shorts on the bathroom floor I do not mind, because today he took a shower at home.

If my husband never changes a diaper today, I do not mind, because today he is holding our child.

If my husband spends the day playing video games on the computer, I do not mind, because I get to see him relax..

If my husband lies around the house and does nothing today, I do not mind, at least he has the weekend off from work.

If my husband has his buddies over to watch football every Monday night, I do not mind, because he is home and I get to see him with his buddies.

If my husband forgets my birthday, or anniversary, I do not mind, because I know he always has the best of intentions at heart.

All those things do not bother me in the least. Because all those things mean my husband is home. We do not fight over simple things like that, for the bigger picture is much more complicated. My husband is not perfect, but he has our best intentions at heart. Over the years, he has missed my birthday, a few Christmas's, the children birthdays, even our anniversary. He hasn't seen a single soccer game of the kids, and has managed to miss every play and every concert too. Sometimes, I do not see my husband for months at a time, and sometimes he will not call for weeks. Through all of this I am sure you are asking yourself, why not leave him?

Well it is simple; I will not fight with him for not being home for my birthday, or not being home in months, or calling in weeks. I will not fight with him about missing the kid's soccer games, or not being home for Christmas, or missing our anniversary. For you see, my husband is a Marine, who is stationed in Iraq fighting a war for this country. I understand, when he can't be there, or can't call because he is making the ultimate sacrifice for this country. Many people forget the sacrifices that the military family has to pay, not just the soldier. For your freedom, my family pays a high price, but I wouldn't have it any other way .I am proud of my husband, I am proud of this great country he defends. I am proud to stand up and make the sacrifices that our family makes every day. My husband makes the ultimate sacrifice for us, for you, and for this country. I understand God first, Country second, Family third, because I am a United States Marine Corp Wife.