I was just asked a question: “Do you know how lucky you are to have me?” Yes! I do. There isn’t a day that passes that I don’t think how lucky we are to have found each other. When I think back to that chance meeting on the internet close to 25 years ago, when I was looking for help with my printer, and Vince answered my question and .. well, the rest is history.
There aren’t many people who could live with either of us. I’m definitely not saying it’s always smiles and giggles around here. I was going to say we’re probably like most couples but I have no idea how life is for most couples. What you see isn’t always what really happens.
Our biggest conflict, and really our only conflict, is that Vince has no sense of family, isn’t close to anyone in his family and, as you’ve probably figured out, my relationship with Chad, Nicole and Addie is a bit of a problem for him, only because he cannot understand why I want to see them several times a year. I can’t understand how he can’t understand it so there never seems to be any resolution. We “agree to disagree” but usually, it’s after a rather vocal battle.
Otherwise, things run pretty smoothly most days.
Without Vince, my life would have been much different. He was happy for me to be a stay at home mom, he helped tremendously with Chad growing up. I was the one who would lose my cool when Chad did things he wasn’t supposed to do, Vince was on the one could talk and keep communication going with Chad.
Some days I feel like Vince worked hard . . every day I feel that way but some days I feel like had he married someone who had a job similar to his, that would be twice the amount of pension; twice the amount of social security, twice the 401k but then I tell myself . . money isn’t everything. He’d probably not be having such tasty dinners; not be sleeping under handmade quilts, not have hand knitted wool socks (that he won’t wear). Most days I think he’s pretty happy with his life with me. I hope so.
His biggest selling point (that I can mention on here!) is that he can fix anything. I mean . . everything! He always says “I can fix everything except YOU!” and that implies that he thinks I need fixing.
What precipitated this conversation today . . several months ago, the faucet on the east side of our house broke. It’s one of those faucets that’s built into the house . . which I would never do if I were building a house, but there’s one on the east and west side. So the one on the east side broke. He had to go to several places before finding parts and then he only found them at a plumbing supply store, with the help of a plumber who happened to be in there and he took one out of his truck apart and compared the parts to the broken faucet. Anyway, Vince bought two sets of replacement parts. I said “Why don’t you fix them both because they were both put in when the house was built 12 years ago so, chances are, the other one is going to break soon.” Nope . . he’d fix it when it broke. Yesterday!
The faucet literally just broke off in his hand. Our water is pretty rough on anything metal. He searched and searched and searched for the parts he bought to fix it when it broke. Of course, I had to remind him that I suggested he change it when he knew where the parts were. He never did find the parts so he went back today, got more parts. I suggested he wait til Monday. It’s Friday afternoon . . if he can’t fix it, either we don’t have water or have to pay weekend rates for a plumber. Nope, he thought he could do it. Turned off the water, pulled out the parts . . I was kinda worried and wondering if we’d be in a hotel all weekend or if we’d be hauling water to the house from the solar well. Then he came in and said the two faucets were different. Why . . with two outside faucets would they be different? Vince said the plumber probably just used whatever was on his truck that day. He thought he might have to go back to the plumbing store but just a few minutes later, he came in and said “Done!” I didn’t believe him but . . the water is back on in the house and the outside faucet works and isn’t leaking so that’s great news. No yarn money wasted on a plumber. 🙂
Yes, he’s pretty good to have around and I’m lucky to have him.
Kathy Chiocca says
Sounds like I married Vince’s brother from another mother EXCEPT, my husband can break anything but not fix anything. However he is an excellent investor and money manager.
He also gets tasty homecooked meals and sleeps under cozy quilts.
Nelle Coursey says
Pat used to be able to do that, but he has no strength left! So he tries to rely on me to help him now.
Sherrill Pecere says
My DH was the complete opposite..couldn’t fix anything (well anything to speak of..HA). He’d try to fix the potty, etc. and we’d wind up having to call a plumber to fix the bigger mess he made trying to fix it. But he was worth his weight in gold and then a bunch.
dezertsuz says
No yarn money wasted on the plumber! You crack me up, Judy! That’s one of the biggest things I miss about not having Paul around. He was like Vince in that respect. The last time I had someone else’s husband come help me, I decided next time I’d waste my FQ money on a plumber … electrician … whatever it took. LOL Regan can do a lot of things, but he can’t do some things, and there are other considerations. I miss his cooking, too. LOL
Cathi Harry says
He’s a keeper.
Ethelann Wood says
Hi from ethelann! Not to be totally inappropriate and I certainly don’t know Vince, but could he be on the autism/Asperger’s spectrum. My son, his kid’s and my hubby all have this to some extent. It was never discussed as we were growing up and some people just aren’t touchy feely but it is a definite thing. Once you see it and live with it it becomes easier but explains the missed social/emotional ques and lack of affection. No doubt we love each other just not like some people are. No offence, just a thought.