The Greatest of These (Sequel to Kansas Summer) -- Faith

September 14, 2003

September 14, 2003

Jenna

                Little by little, I’m finding myself adjusting to married life.  It’s not as easy as I thought it would be, but I’m happy to have someone by my side who I know will always by my side.  However, that doesn’t mean our life isn’t without its little quirks.  For instance, today was laundry day, and I made the mistake—I shouldn’t say mistake, because it wasn’t a mistake!—of letting Colin help me take everything down from the clothesline and fold them.  Perhaps I’m being a little too hard on him.  It didn’t dawn on me that he’d never folded a bra or ladies’ underwear before.  I scolded him for being so careless with my delicate apparel.  It didn’t dawn on me that he hadn’t grown up with a sister or even with a mother before he reminded me.  He just wasn’t used to the finer arts of laundry folding.  After he looked at me with those stunned eyes for a second, I realized that I had been too harsh with him.  To say the least, I was mortified.  I had been the one to snap first.  Then, I was too embarrassed to say anything to him.  We stood outside in the crisp fall breeze for about five minutes, folding clothes in silence.  I knew I had to say something.

                “Colin?” I began timidly.  “I—I’m sorry for snapping at you.”  He turned his head towards me, setting down the shirt that he was working on.  “I should have been more understanding,” I continue, but I don’t get the chance to finish before he sweeps me up in his strong, comforting arms.  He nuzzles his face against mine, whispering: “It’s alright Jen.  You are forgiven.”  We just stood there for another minute or so, lost in each other.  It made me think of how blessed I was to be married to him.  Sure he might not know everything about being a homemaker, but he certainly tried, and didn’t deserve any of my wrath.  I had all but forgotten this morning, when I was surprised to find that while I was taking my sweet time in the shower, he had made toast and hash browns, even setting out my favorite strawberry jam.  He was even washing the dishes while I walked into the kitchen fiddling with the towel I had wrapped my hair in.  I wished that he could have eaten breakfast with me, but he had to head out to the barn and milk our two cows before he left home to go to work at the feed store.  My darling had one-upped me, but I was determined to pay him back as soon as possible.