And She Didn't Go To College

Before I got married, I made a list of the most important attributes I was planning on looking for in my future wife. I was thoughtful and careful as I wrote my list.

#1. Right-handed (everyone knows how important this is. How can you possible teach your children how to write, eat, play sports, throw a ball, etc., etc., etc., if you and your spouse use different hands to do those things).

#2. Blonde Hair (Because blonde is the mark of beauty. And I was deserving of the pinnacle of beauty when it came to hair color).

#3. Missionary Service (I wanted to make sure I married someone who had served a mission, someone who, for sure, was willing to give to others before thinking of herself. I mean, I wanted someone who would think of me, take care of me, make sure I was happy, always put me first in our relationship because, I had planned to do the same for her...it was only fair).

#4. College Degree (A college degree is a sign that someone has goals, is driven, isn't a quitter, determined, educated. I had planned to go to college, and indeed I did. I graduated near the top of my class and was therefore I deserved someone like me in that respect).

#5. Musically Inclined (I didn't really care if she played the piano or the flute, but it should be one of those. After all, I played the piano and my sister played the flute. And if she wasn't going to play the piano, the flute would do. AND, everyone knows that musical talent is a mark of distinguished character).

#6. Blue Eyes (Blue eyes are also a mark of great beauty, AND they are relatively rare. So, naturally, I deserved beauty AND rarity in my future spouse).


Now, there were others. But I'd like to report on the results of my list.

#1. Check
#2. FAIL
#3. FAIL
#4. FAIL
#5. FAIL
#6. FAIL

I have learned that my list was extremely short-sighted and didn't really include all of the important qualities I should have been looking for in a wife. Lucky for me, the girl I married had ALL of the qualities I didn't think about. Caring, giving, understanding, forgiving, energetic, smart, committed, motherly, religious/righteous, fun, creative, talented and INSIGHTFUL....the list goes on and on. Truly, I married the most wonderful woman I know. RIGHT-HANDED, BROWN-HAIRED, NON-MISSIONARY, NO COLLEGE DEGREE, NOT MUSICALLY INCLINED, BROWN EYED Denise is the light of my life.

I never dream that my wife would retire me from my teaching job or that I would get to work side by side with her...I'm so glad she said YES to me and to HER HOME BASED BUSINESS.

I'm not ashamed that I change dirty diapers, clean up endless messes from the kids, fold laundry, and am the room parent or that my wife makes more money then I did with my fancy master's degree.

Thank you for saying YES!! I love you Denise.