Opposites Attract

Sometimes it's hard being married. Even though I try to accept my husband just as he is, little expectations tend to creep up in the back of my mind. He has no idea about my expectations of him; men need to think they are perfect and so I tell mine he is:
-Yes dear, you're so good at mowing the lawn. Our rows are much straighter than the neighbors.
-Wow, you're such a good driver. Somehow when I'm riding with you 97 miles per hour doesn't seem so dangerous.
-You look so handsome sitting on the sofa. It's a good thing you sit there a lot; I find you so desirable when you're slack-jawed in front of the tv.

But inside my head I'm often wondering why he doesn't do the dishes. Or why he can't be the one to take the dogs on their long walk every once in awhile. Why must he always leave his tube of toothpaste on the counter instead of putting it back in the cupboard where he found it? Why does he leave coffee cups all over the house? All these wonderings, plus oh, so many more, leave me feeling a bit underwhelmed by him. I look at him sitting there on the sofa, where he's been for the past three hours, and I think, "DO SOMETHING!! ANYTHING!"

I like that he can be so relaxed, but it also irritates me. I wish I could sit down and spend some quality time vegetating. I have a hard time sitting still. If I watch tv I have to walk on the treadmill or sew or paint at the same time. I need to feel productive, so I expect him to feel that way too. And he doesn't. Go figure!

By and large we are two very opposite people. Most of the time it's great and everything is grand. Our different strengths complement each other and all that psychological mumbo-jumbo. But sometimes those little niggling expectations take over my brain and he dances on my last nerve. Well. . . at least until I realize that I'm probably failing his expectations and driving him crazy too. Knowing that we both make each other nuts is somehow satisfying and it makes me smile to myself. Of course, when he asks me why I'm smiling I just tell him, "I was just remembering the time you bought me a weed-picker tool for my birthday. Romance comes so easy to you honey!"