In the last month, Frank and I have learned of three couples we know who are getting divorced. My reaction to this: shock, fear, anger!

Okay so we all know the couples that are suited for each other, fight in public, are totally incompatible and we never thought were a good match, but…. once your friends get married you support their marriage and hope for the best. After time goes by, you assume you were wrong and rejoice in their successes as a couple. When they decide to get divorced, you feel terrible for them, frightened that marriage is so easily crumbled and, surprisingly, I feel just plain old. I never thought I was old enough to have friends getting divorced.

Two of the three couples are getting divorced because of infidelity. One was the wife, one was the husband. So the theory of men being pigs goes out the window. (No offense to any men reading this, but that is honestly what most women think when they hear someone cheated.) I thought to myself, how could you do that to your spouse? How could you come home and crawl in bed with your partner/friend/lover and lie to their face? One of those people even went so far as to be intimate with his wife for over a month, while he was being intimate with another woman. Gross. I can’t even imagine how terrible my good friend is feeling right now. I am so disappointed and angry for her. Most of all, I am angry because this has shattered my naive, idealism that marriage is for eternity and indestructible. (even though both of us have divorces in our families - for some reason, I thought it wouldn’t happen to anyone I know that is our age.)

I worry that my generation of fast food, celebrity obsession, immediate gratification and endless choices of Starbucks and quick internet are going to only make the divorce rate worse. I mean what do they think that people are like Starbucks, if you don’t like what you got - just order something else? I fear that the divorce rate is going to be higher than the reported 50% very soon. Considering that our friends have all only been married for five years at the longest and already three sets of them are getting divorced, that is not good odds for the percentages to get any better in the near future.

I am completely confident that Frank and I will never fall victim to these circumstances, but how dare you make me (even for the slightest moment) doubt my marriage, or marriage in general?

The whole thing is just sad.

This month has been busy with two sets of exams, but we have managed to have some fun along the way. Because I’ve been less than stellar in my punctual blog posting, here are some pictures of recent highlights:

Frank has been playing lots of basketball on KPMG’s team. (Future post to come…)

Flowers - part of my Birthday gift from Frank

We had a visit from a small lizard that went translucent and could change colors to match it’s surroundings. I think it was a baby chameleon or something. It was pretty cool looking, but not in my house. He affectionately became known as “stubby” when Frank tried to pick him up by the tail and it fell off. Here is Frank on the hunt for “Stubby,” the second time he got in our house. We knew it was him by the tail. haha.

Re: Thanksgiving Photos

The loads of supplies used to make our dinner.

This year’s new addition - Curried Pumpkin Soup as the first course.

Before and After

Cooking was a lot of fun, but boy is it work when you’re doing it by yourself. I refused to miss any of my family’s tradition dishes, so we had WAY too much food! It was all so yummy. I was really proud of the way it turned out, but bummed that I forgot to get a picture of the turkey before it was cut. Pathetic as it may be, I had some fun dissecting the turkey’s heart. I know it’s weird, but I was able to identify the atriums and ventricles, as well as, the aortic arch, brachialcephalic, left subclavian artery and left common carotid. Well, they might be called something different in a turkey, but in human terms that’s what they would have been.

When Elle posted about her hubby for his bday, it made me think that it’s not too often that I discuss my favorite person on Earth. That’s right, as sappy as it sounds, my husband is the best! Here is a repeat of Elle’s list so that you can all get to know a bit more about the man behind this woman.

1. Who is your man?

Frank also known as Frank the Crank, Frank the Tank, Frankenstein, Doodlebug (though he really hates that one) take your pick

2. How long have you been together?

10 years in May

3. How long did you date?

7 years before we got married - we got married in May of 2005

4. How old is your man?

32

5. Who eats more?

depends on what we’re eating, but 99% of the time him

6. Who said “I love you” first?

Don’t remember. I would guess him.

7. Who is taller?

Him.

8. Who sings better?

Without doubt, me. He can only sing Johnny Cash songs in tune and he only does that if he’s being silly.

9. Who is smarter?

Book smart - me. Street smart - him. We’re a good pair.

10. Whose temper is worse?

Frank’s by far.

11. Who does the laundry?

It’s a joint effort.

12. Who takes out the garbage?

Him. If I have to take it, there is a darn good reason.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

We don’t have sides. Weird, I know.

14. Who pays the bills?

He’s an accountant. Why mess with the system?

15. Who is better with the computer?

It’s a tie. He’s PC, I’m Mac.

16. Who mows the lawn?

The condo association

17. Who cooks dinner?

Me. Unless we’re grilling. He’s the bbq king.

18. Who drives when you are together?

I like him to drive. At night I drive, though, because he has bad night vision.

19. Who pays when you go out?

He does. It’s nice to feel like I’m on a date.

20. Who is most stubborn?

Without question, me.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?

That’s another tie. I think we’re both good about it.

22. Whose parents do you see the most?

My Mom. She is almost a permenant resident of the Caymans. haha.

23. Who kissed who first?

He kissed me on my front porch after a date. Yes, it was like a movie - cheesy and romantic.

24. Who asked who out?

It was a blind date. But, he asked me out for the second date.

25. Who proposed?

Him. The most romantic night he ever came up with - I’ll save it for another post.

26. Who is more sensitive?

Me, for sure. I’m all girl.

27. Who has more friends?

Probably him. I’m too busy studying.

28. Who has more siblings?

Me. 2 sisters. He has 1.

29. Who wears the pants in the family?

Well, I tend to wear shorts, skirts and capris. Guess that means Frank, by default.

Sometimes I think I’ve got the greatest husband in the world. He didn’t do anything amazing this week, just the usual. Working like mad because it’s mini tax season here, cleaning the house because I was way too busy with exam time, and supporting me while I had a mini homesickness breakdown. (More on that to come….) So, here’s to my knight in shining armor, who by the way patiently sits and watches Desperate Housewives with me every Sunday night.

This is what happens when your husband finds out that your computer takes pictures…..

The fun continues in this crazy house as we count down for our vacation….

Interesting what you thought of when I posted a picture of Sunflowers Another hint….

Frank,

I am so blessed to have you in my life. You bring laughter, support, love and adventure to my every day. I can’t believe we have been married two years already. It really did fly by! Guess that means we’re having fun! No surprise there - I never doubted that we would.

I feel so proud of what we’ve accomplished in the two years we’ve been married. I think it’s pretty unusual to have visited several countries, started a new job, started medical school and moved to a foreign country - all in just two years! Imagine what we’ll do in the next two! A trip to Europe, moving to the Big City, starting a new job, working in the hospital, buying a new car and having children - and that’s just what we’re planning for! It’s going to be even more exciting than these two have been - I wasn’t sure that was possible, but somehow you manage to make it keep getting better and better.

Thanks for being you, my best friend and my favorite person in the world. How did I get so lucky?

I love you.

Frank is my husband, hopefully that is clear by now. 

It occured to me that I haven’t talked about him much.  So, here is a little bit of information about Frank:

Frank is honest, loyal and loving.  He works harder than anyone I’ve ever known.  Frank has overcome obstacles that sometimes seem unreal to us.  He has a Bachelors in Accounting from University of Michigan and a Masters in Business Administration. Frank works for KPMG as a Senior Tax Accountant.  He loves fishing, working out, sporting events and running his internet business.  He is amazing with children and looks forward to settling down a bit.  I know he will be an incredible father. 

Random tid bits - He sneezes every morning.  He loves classic rock.  He doesn’t like to admit it, but he loves reality tv as much as I do.  He even watches American Idol and the Bachelor.  He loves going to the movies and is thoroughly addicted to movie theater popcorn.  Frank makes great potato chip (gasp) omelettes and can grill anything.  Frank roots for my alma mater - Michigan State for sports over his own. (I think he knows better… hehe)  He moved a lot as a kid.  He plays on softball and basketball leagues for work.  Frank didn’t travel much as a child, but once we started dating he found out that he loves to travel.

I could go on and on, but I think I will stop for now.  Most of all, I love this man!