Stress, Love, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Tuesday evening, my husband and I decided to clear our schedules for a relaxing day together Wednesday. We went to the store to purchase a movie to watch that night and we came home expecting all to go as planned. One thing led to another, however, and we went to bed slightly frazzled having not watched the movie and feeling very little relaxed.

The next day was much the same. We and others were in and out of our house all day, and my husband, son, and I all experienced quite a range of emotion, though little was positive. We all took turns being upset at the situation and each other. I was stressed and didn't want to talk about my worries because I didn't want to make the situation any worse.

Finally, when projects were completed and our emotions had a chance to subside I realized my husband had hardly eaten anything that day. Knowing he tended not to eat when upset, I offered to fix him anything he wanted. I wasn't prepared for his answer, and almost decided against it, but I had promised I would make him anything, so I did.

He requested the world's greatest sandwich: peanut butter and chocolate syrup on bread grilled in the sandwich maker with a scoop of ice cream on top. I thought that it sounded awful, but I wanted to show him how much I loved him. I also wanted to make sure he actually ate. I tasted the completed concoction, and it actually wasn't bad.

When I asked what my husband wanted, he said he would eat anything, but then requested the world's greatest sandwich. I was tempted to just fix him leftovers. The squash and chicken gravy would have been much healthier and less trouble. But showing how much I cared for him, especially after such an emotionally charged day was more important.

After he ate the sandwich we both apologized and we able to talk more openly about our day. He was able to spend some time working on something he enjoys. That small act of service made all the difference for both of us, and the negative feelings in our home left.

I hear stories about people "falling out of love" with each other. I wonder if in those cases, people stop feeling loving feelings because they stop doing loving actions. Love is not just something that comes and goes by accident or chance. It is something we work and sacrifice for. Relationships are stressful, no matter how good they are. Remembering to do loving things and say loving words will keep love alive and bring you closer together.