Marriage Monday: My Husband Gave Me Wrinkles

How do you get a kleenex to dance?

… Put a little boogey in it.

Come ON! Now that's funny!!

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I consider myself doubly blessed because I married a man who makes me laugh. Oh, I suppose I could have married someone who was more serious, more focused or driven and I also suppose I might have been rich by now if I had, but I know I wouldn’t be having as much fun or enjoying my life as much as I do.

We were talking last night, hubby and I, about all the signs of aging he and I are experiencing and will be experiencing in the years to come. We landed on the subject of wrinkles. Each year mine seem to be multiplying and deepening at what others might consider to be an alarming rate but not me.

You see, what I’ve come to conclude is that I sort of like my wrinkles. Crazy huh? Let me explain. I think of my wrinkles as a true testament of joy in my life and my marriage. A badge of bliss I suppose. My laugh lines are an inheritance of each and every joke my husband has ever told me, every prank we’ve ever played, every pun he’s ever proffered. Each new wisecrack or quip (and believe me, he’s “got a million of ‘em”) may deepen a line or plow a new furrow beside my eyes or create a crescent beside my lips, but I’ll welcome each one and more rather than live with out laughter.

Unfortunately so many couples don’t or can’t laugh much with each other. Maybe they’re angry or resentful. Or maybe they’ve just never picked up the habit of laughter.

Studies show that there are many benefits to laughter including a boosting of one’s immune system and a clearing of the mind. A good belly laugh even burns a few calories. When we laugh with someone else it builds good will – a bond between those sharing that mirthful moment.

I believe a habit of laughter and good natured fun should be a part of every marriage. Here in OUR house it comes naturally and can get pretty rambunctious with tickle fights, joke books and harmless pranks. Just talking with my usually happy husband makes me laugh, but there are many degrees and levels to playfulness and hilarity. Maybe you enjoy a more quiet humor. There’s nothing wrong with that so long as you’re enjoying some of it together.

Consider your relationship. When was the last time you laughed with your spouse? If it’s been a while then you might need to put a little thought into adding some lighthearted moments to your everyday lives.

Psalm 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Here are a few ideas to keep those bones (the funny ones) nice and humidified:

*Subscribe to email lists that will send humor right to your inbox -

http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/martysjotd/


*Book mark some humor websites to visit regularly to find new jokes and funny stories,videos you might be able to share around the dinner table -

http://www.cleanjoke.com/humor/Funny-Stuff-Videos.html
http://www.ewsonline.com/jokes/clean.html
http://www.jokebanana.com/
http://www.cleanjokes4u.com/

*Send him funny eCards at work -

Hallmark eCards
Dayspring eCards

*Make a “comedy only” movie night -
100 Funniest Movies of All Time

*Play games that make you look a little silly – when was the last time you experience Twister or Charades?

*Tomfoolery –
when was the last time you put a rubberband on the sink sprayer or stole your hubby’s clothes while he was showering? One that my sister-in-law seems to get her husband with every April Fool’s day is to wait until he gets into the shower and toss a big cup of flour over the door onto him. Of course, she always offers to help him clean up afterwards (wink).
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1939-april-fools-practical-jokes-and-pranks
http://www.huddlenet.com/reallife/pranks.html

Put a little play back into your day however you like but the main thing is to DO IT. Lighten up and wear your laugh lines proudly and thank God for the blessing of a joyfilled marriage.

"Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat." - Joanne Woodward (married to Paul Newman)

To that I say - AMEN!