Our Differences

I was reading this awesome post from my friend Amanda about the differences they have discovered in their marriage. It made me think about just how different two people really can be but your marriage can still be one of the best things ever!

I grew up in a family where we figured things out as we go and we are pretty care free. 

Tim grew up in a family that was all about structure. Things are planned out way in advance and everyone is always in the loop about what is going on. 

I love to take my time waking up (if my schedule allows it) I love to wake up and spend a little while just laying in bed thinking. 

Tim wakes up and springs out of bed. His idea of laying in bed is laying there for a minute and then getting on with his day. 

Gift giving has never been a huge thing in my family. We would usually just get each other something small and fun for Christmas. 

Tim's family goes all out. (Well not compared to a lot of people but compared to my family) They have a whole rotating secret Santa schedule and get each other really great gifts. They also put things in everyone's stockings so the stockings are full of all sorts of fun little gifts. 

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Most of those things I knew before we got married but the things we learned about each other after marriage are some of the funniest. 

Tim folds his socks neatly into pairs before he puts them in the laundry. This drove me nuts for the first few months because I would have to undo all of them. Once I finally asked him about it he said it was because he didn't want his socks to get lost or end up in different laundry loads. It actually makes a lot of sense. 

I learned men can eat a whole lot if it is in front of them. I swear it was different when I cooked when we were dating. I make a ton of food thinking that we will have it for leftovers tomorrow and somehow it miraculously all gets eaten. 

Tim learned I have some strange quirks. I always sit on the couch with my knees pulled up to my chest and my arms wrapped around my ankles. I also get super hungry as soon as I lay down to go to bed.

As corny as it sounds when you really care about someone their quirks turn out to be rather endearing. I've noticed that when I take care of the things in my life that tend to put me in a bad mood and focus on the good things in life, differences don't bother me. When you are stressed, tired, hungry, etc these little differences can end up driving you nuts. I really do think that there is so much benefit to embracing and loving the differences between you are your loved ones!