it's true what they say

Steve and i have been married for 31 1/2 years. I've always heard that the longer a couple stays together, the more they look like each other, and the more their lives become intertwined. on the first point, I'll have to disagree, because Steve and i look nothing alike. he is slim and trim. i am, well,,Reubenesque, to put it in a kinder and gentler way. he is gray and balding (sorry, honey), while i have gracefully kept my original hair color, and most of it....so far. on the second point, though, I'm here to state that after 30+ years of marriage, my husband and i are completely and intrinsically melded. and most of the time, that is a wonderful and magical state of being. after being with someone for so long, i don't have to explain much to hubby anymore. he knows exactly what ticks me off, he knows when to tune me out, he knows when to be contrite and repentent, har har. and the same on my end. i am SO thankful that God has given me such a wonderful mate. he's been a loving and responsible provider. but...and i only write this because, well, i'm bored today....there is also a truth about long-married life that i haven't heard a whole lot of people speaking or writing about. it is the phenomenon of, let's call it,,separation anxiety...on the part of the husband. example: today i decided to go shopping. at first, steve said he would go with, but i warned him that i wanted to do some REAL shopping,,like clothing, toiletries, etc. and i warned him that when he sits in the truck, supposedly patiently waiting, it only gives me anxiety. so, in the end, he decided to stay home. (yay) i told him i'd probably be gone for 2-3 hours. note: he usually doesn't give me his est. time of return when he goes off somewhere,,but thats okay! so, off i went,,happily free of all fetters. after two hours, i called him to report that i was leaving belks and going on to the grocery store. then i decided to stop at walgreens and the traffic was hideous because the bridge downtown was open, so by the time i did walgreens and the grocery, another hour had passed. i was on my way home, and i KNEW that steve would be starting to wonder about my eta. sure enough, the phone rang, and he asked me if i was "making it okay." God bless him. i know i should be so grateful that i have someone who cares where i am. and i am, believe me! but...what if i had wanted to spend the entire afternoon out shopping? i guess i could have just called and told him, and that is okay too! just every once in awhile...i have the desire to leave the house whenever i want and return whenever i want. but...it's true what they say.....a long marriage binds husband and wife soul to soul, body to body, and your thoughts belong to each other. and i guess that that is a GOOD THING.