You know you’ve been married a long time when…

Summer offers time for morning walks when the sun is warm, but not yet hot, and the sweet smell of growing things fills the air. We’ve been taking advantage of bright mornings and my open schedule to walk down our road together in the morning before Kurt works.

“Hold on a second,” Kurt said coming to a sudden halt on one recent walk. “You have a long white hair on your chin.”

I immediately stopped, aghast. “What!? But I’m so vigilant!”

“Well, it is hard to see when it’s white,” he commented matter-of-factly.

He then reached over and turned my head to the side. Without asking, he zoomed in and pulled at the hair with his fingers. Once. Twice.

“You know,” he commented as he labored, “we probably look like chimps grooming at the side of the road.”

I laughed and then asked the critical question, “But can you get it?” I tilted my head for better access.

He pulled one more time and ta-da! The offending hair was removed. Victory!

“I can’t believe it,” I said, looking at the half-inch hair within his pincer grip. “I check every single day and inevitably I miss one. I mean, how long has this one even been growing! And also, how did you even do that with just your fingers!?” I eyed him with new respect.

He shrugged and tossed the miscreant filament to the wind. We continued on our walk, settling back in to enjoying the beautiful day and our time together.

And somehow, after that, I felt just a hair lighter.

12 thoughts on “You know you’ve been married a long time when…

  1. maryleehahn's avatar maryleehahn says:

    Thanks for the giggle!

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  2. heddydoc's avatar heddydoc says:

    New Respect???!!!

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  3. Amy Crehore's avatar Amy Crehore says:

    Hahahaha this was amazing to find in my inbox first thing this morning. Oh, pesky chin hairs! Thank goodness for the partners who can spot and pluck them away!

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  4. Erika's avatar Erika says:

    Wonderful- you captured this moment so well- one that many of us can relate to!

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  5. margaretsmn's avatar margaretsmn says:

    I love how you can entertain with such a moment. I wanted to say β€œloving moment” which I think it was.

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  6. Hahaha! Love the chimps grooming line. This is a post of sweet intimacy, built over years for sure!

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  7. Oh my gosh! I loved every word and image of this post. This is so much like my husband and me! We are so comfortable with each other after 40 years – there are no barriers or taboos. It’s clear Kurt’s got your back forever. Just loved this! Thank you!

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  8. Sharon Roy's avatar Sharon Roy says:

    Love your last line. Ha.

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  9. sweet chimps. Loves your ending. A tale of true love.

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  10. Driving home today from Aroostook County, I read your Slice to Hannah as she drove south. Your last line had her howling. Well-played, Molly! BTW, I didn’t notice any errant hairs when you came to town!

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  11. Debbie Lynn's avatar Debbie Lynn says:

    This was so cute…love the chimp reference and ‘how long has that been growing?’ πŸ˜‰

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  12. Denise Krebs's avatar Denise Krebs says:

    Molly, so much fun! Man, can I relate to that!? Except my hubby’s fingers are not that adept. You have a way with words! “pincher grip” and “miscreant filament” being two favorites today.

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