Romance

Kevin was under the weather today, yet had Patrick duty most of the day as I picked up some extra hours at work. Things are tight for us right now, despite employment by all. Kevin's off to a great start at his new job, and we are both very pleased with how it is going. But he's the new guy. He's not immediately gifted with 40 hours a week. So a (slight) paycut combined with decreased hours means Mama needs to go to work...a little more. But Kevin has the gift of some more time with Patrick, and perhaps it's his turn. God giving him just a little bit of a break after three long years of hard work.

We have a healthy savings account. Kevin reminds me, "That's why we have it," when I complain. But I'll complain to take $10 out of the sucker. It doesn't take much for a money hoarder like me. Kevin balances me out. Married to somebody like myself, I'd die with a million plus in the bank, wearing a pantsuit from Target, right before all my inheritors flew to the Bahamas. First class.

So we'll be fine. But it's tight and we're being pretty careful. Not a lot for extras. Fun purchases being postponed. I joke that the quickest way for us to have unexpected bills is for me to think about clothes shopping. Never fails. There is something rather sad about Patrick having cuter clothes than me. And Kevin definitely has more shoes.

But it's not about pity, it's about romance. The kind of special romance that appeals to my "special" sentimentality.

Today was payday. I come home, ready to talk to Kevin about "....how we Really need to be Careful and not impulse shop...."

But instead, he gave me a card.

On the front: a candy heart that says Kiss Me.

So I kiss him!

He smiles. Open the card, he says.

Inside, Money. The equivalent of our bi-monthly allowance.

I'm giving you my allowance, he says. I want you to buy something nice for yourself.

Baby, I say. You aren't going to do this. This is your money.

I want to, he says. You've been so sad about waiting for new things. I want you to have it.

Romance. As defined by the J&K marriage.