Because I Love Him...

Because I love my husband, I let him talk me into this.  Months of preparation and hundreds of dollars later, we are completely outfitted for a 3-day, 19-mile backpacking trip along the Superior Trail.  We leave tomorrow.  He was kind enough to book a B&B for the first night, but the next two nights will be in our pup tent in 30-40 degree weather.

Because I love my husband, I'm trying not to think about the fact that we will have no chairs to sit on, no toilets, no heat.  He assures me we can probably find a log to sit on, and he reminds me that I've squatted plenty of times in the deep woods over the years...it's...freeing.  Oh, and he'll keep me warm.  Promise.

He is so excited about all the great food we will eat, which we've been dehydrating all summer.  Lasagna, chicken tetrazzini, hungry man breakfast, asian chicken and rice, and even hummus for lunch.  Other than the fact that you have to add the word "stew" to the dish when you rehydrate it, I have to admit the meals are pretty tasty.  He even made little de-natured alcohol stoves for us out of beer cans.  We'll have coffee and hot chocolate, he assures.  He planned everything to his typical enginerd's nth degree.

Lest you think ours is a nearly 20-year marriage of romance and adventure, let me correct you.  There are dry seasons where we treat each other like roommates.  For years, he traveled incessantly with work and I wanted to wring his innocent neck for leaving me alone with 3 little ones.  We forget our anniversary sometimes...like, the last two years, when my mom had to remind us.  Next year is the 20th.  We promised each other we wouldn't forget!

I have a big, long list of "perfect, Proverbs 31-type wifely behaviors."  Kiss him when he walks in the door.  Never tell him "not tonight."  Never complain about him to others.  Smell good.  Cook good.  Be kind.  Give him back scratches.  Be frugal.  But this list is like many other lists I've made over the years...great ideas, poor execution.  My heart is willing, my mind is persuaded, but my will is stubborn and selfish.

I'm hoping my trek into the wilderness will somewhat compensate for the swiss cheese holes in my character.  It's gotta count for something!