Love Dare

About six weeks ago Cheryl rented the movie "Fireproof." Now I'm no critic, but even to my untrained eyes the acting left something to be desired. However, if you've been married for any length of time you can't help but find something in the story line that you can identify with. And, such was the case with both of us.

Cheryl and I have been married for thirty-three years next month (thru no fault of my own). We sat quietly contemplating what we had just seen and independently came to the same conclusion. We wanted to do the 40 day "Love Dare" on the premise that even a good marriage can be made better. We also decided that we wanted to share it with the three couples closest to us - our two sons, their wives, a niece and her spouse who lives locally.

Cheryl wasted no time in buying the movie and four copies of the "Love Dare." Together we picked out moleskines for each of the players to journal in - pink for the gals and black for the guys. Now it was just a matter of trying to schedule a time that would work for everyone. This was finally worked out to be Saturday. Dinner and a movie, our house (after the NFL Draft!). :)

The event went pretty much as anticipated and we were just excited about sharing something we were both enthused about.

Sunday: Day 1 - Resolve to demonstrate patience and say nothing negative to your spouse at all.

I felt like I had a head start since I'd seen the movie twice and the book had been in the house for six weeks now. I proudly gave myself a up check at the end of the day.

Monday: Day 2 - In addition to repeating Day 1, do one unexpected gesture of kindness.

Still feeling pretty positive about not saying anything negative. Hmmm... an unexpected gesture of kindness.

Now I'm a rather old fashioned kind of guy (now don't be throwin' stuff at me) so finding me in the kitchen someplace other than the refrigerator would be pretty unexpected. So while Cheryl was grocery shopping I wandered in there with some good intentions.

The dishes seemed like a good place to start. There were a few dishes out so I opened the dishwasher but it was already full. How do you tell if they are clean or dirty? I started it just to be safe. Then I started to hand wash the few on the drainboard. It was about then that I noticed a box on top of the fridge that I knew contained a replacement timer for the oven.

Guess I'm easily side tracked. I stopped everything and pulled the stove out from the wall. Then I went to the garage to get some tools. In short order I'd broken the stove down to parade rest and had pieces spread out all over the drainboard. That's when Cheryl got home.

Good thing Cheryl loves me! The kitchen I'd started, with good intentions, to clean looked like a train wreck. I did, however, complete the repair. The stove clock now works again as well as the oven timer. That's when I noticed the receipt in the bottom of the box - 4/12/2002. She's also patient.

Cheryl saved my by saying, "I brought home some steaks. Why don't your fire up the BBQ and I'll take care of the rest of this." What a gal!

I think I need a do over for Day 2. ... an unexpected gesture of kindness...

Any ideas?