Listen — really listen — to each other.
When he is talking about sports, I will admit—sometimes it is hard to follow. The truth is, I don’t like sports. I tolerate sports. Why? Because Mark loves sports–almost all sports.
I often wish Alex, our son, was still home so Mark would have someone to talk sports with, while he is watching all the many forms, on tv. Alex is not here–I am. So, I listen.
But as I am not a sports fan, I know he is. I know he loves all sports and I understand and respect that sports are in his blood. I “put up” with sports 364 days a year, because I love him.
One day a year, there is no sports. This one day a year usually falls around our anniversary. (Funny how God blesses you in tiny ways!) That one day with no sports is the day the ESPY’s air on TV, and I enjoy watching award shows, so it is a win for both of us.
Listening is sometimes hard when you don’t understand, or necessarily care, about the topic, but it is so important.
Listening, like marriage is a give and take.
This goes both ways. I know there are many topics I speak about he doesn’t care for either, like shopping, decorating, writing, and my friends who I have met (online or in real life) through my writing adventure.
We both try to remember, and comprehend, what the other is talking about. The point is we both try.
“A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” Andre Maurois
