Today is Dave and my 9-year anniversary. Seriously, time flies!
For those of you who might be newer readers, you can check out my past anniversary posts via the links below:
8 years :: I shared 8 of our favorite FRUGAL date ideas
7 years :: I told our engagement story (it’s seriously so good!) and shared our family photo shoot that went terribly wrong 🙂
6 years :: We were at Dave’s brother’s wedding that weekend (his brother’s anniversary is June 29, our’s is June 30, and his sister’s is July 1 — crazy huh?!)
Since I don’t really feel qualified to give marriage advice after only 9 years, and since I’m not really a “mushy” sentimental type of writer… I thought I’d share some general relationship “insight” I’ve been thinking about for a while now (actually, for many years).
My Insight = Life is not fair!
Brilliant… I know 🙂
I don’t say this to be harsh, or cruel, or negative, or overly “black and white”. I just say it because it’s true.
As kids, we quickly learn that everything in life is not fair. Some kids get better grades, some are better musicians, some are better athletes, some have all the cool clothes and shoes.
As parents, we cannot (and probably should not) try to make everything fair for all our kids all the time.
As adults, we know very well that life isn’t always fair — the jerk at work gets the promotion over you, your neighbor’s tree falls on your house, you get the traffic ticket, your dearest friend gets cancer, you can’t get pregnant, you lost a spouse or child way too young.
As married couples, we know that everything won’t always be fair. There are often times when one person takes on more responsibilities and obligations than the other — and one person seemingly has more fun, more free time, more leisure, etc.
The list goes on.
I think most of us would agree on the fact that life is not fair… which is why I’d like to take it one step further and say:
The quest for “fair” can ruin our relationships.
Since it’s our anniversary today, my examples below will mainly focus on how the quest for fair can be very detrimental to a marriage relationship… but I personally feel that this concept can be applied to almost any relationship between any number of people.
Let me explain…
The Lazy Spouse Example:
This is probably the #1 most complained about thing I hear when people talk negatively about their spouse.
He (or she) is messy, they are a slob, they don’t help out around the house. They watch TV all night long and walk right past the laundry basket full of clean clothes. They leave their dirty dishes sitting out all over the house and never put their dirty socks in the hamper.
I could go on and on and on about ALLLLLLLL the complaints I heard when I worked more regularly with in-home organizing clients. Life wasn’t fair because the one spouse seemingly did more of the house work than the other spouse.
However, what we often don’t realize is that sometimes, they are doing other things we don’t necessarily see or notice. Maybe it’s not inside housework, but instead, they are doing a bunch of weeding, trimming bushes, shoveling snow, or fixing the roof. Or maybe it’s something completely different… the point is that in many situations, although you might feel your spouse is being lazy, they might just be focused on other tasks that aren’t as important to you.
When we were first married, I told Dave that “it wasn’t fair” that I had to do so much of the house work when we were both working full time out of the home. Dave said he honestly didn’t notice those “little things” like when the trash was full or when the dishwasher was clean. He told me that if I wanted him to do something around the house, I had to ask him directly otherwise he wouldn’t notice… and as you probably know, he is now VERY helpful around the house now — most times without me even asking. I am SO grateful for this, and I do not take it for granted!
The Lazy Parent Example:
Another “lazy” example comes into play after kids are born — because one parent is almost always doing more with the kids than the other (even if both parents work full time or are both home full time).
In our case, I am definitely the parent who spends more time with the kids and takes on more of the child-raising responsibility (even though Dave and I both have careers.)
And even though Dave definitely pulls his weight when he’s not at school and is an amazing dad for our kids, there are STILL times when I think things like “We’re both working…. it’s not fair that I’m stuck with the kids all day PLUS I need to keep the house clean, make all the meals, and run all the errands.”
Obviously, I have nothing to complain about — but sometimes those “life isn’t fair” thoughts still creep in and make me feel more negative towards Dave than I should.
The Stay At Home Versus Working Parent Example:
This is another huge “life isn’t fair” example that I hear all the time…
The one spouse is home with the kids ALLLLLLL DAY LONG and feels like they are literally going to go crazy if they need to be cooped up with kids and laundry and dishes and dinner prep for 10 more minutes… while the other spouse “gets” to have leisurely “free time”, lunch out with clients, grown up conversations, and a quiet drive to and from work.
Yes, I get it!!
Meanwhile, the other spouse is thinking about how amazing it would be to stay home all day, sit around in your pj’s, watch TV with the kids, play outside, not be locked into a specific time schedule, not have to deal with the pressures of work, etc.
Both sides could easily focus only on the negative aspects of their position and the positive aspects of the other spouse’s position and life is instantly not fair.
But what they might not realize is how different things are when the tables are turned…
I have a friend who stays home with 4 kids all day. Her husband travels a lot for work in a pretty important job. She told me that she CONSTANTLY played the “it’s not fair” card and often bemoaned the fact that he had such an exciting business life. Until one weekend when she got to go away with friends and he stayed home with the kids. She said she missed the kids so much and was SO excited to get back home. She realized that being away wasn’t all she thought it might be… and yes, her husband realized how much work his wife really did on a daily basis to take care of the house and the kids!
The He Spends / She Spends Examples:
Money is almost always a hot topic in marriage relationship — and it’s unfortunately one of the main reasons for divorce in our country today.
I know of a married couple who tells each other everything they spend (which is awesome). However, the reason they do that is so the other person can then go spend a similar amount of money on something else — just to be “fair”!
Yes, I’m serious!
If the husband spends $100 on a new golf club, the wife gets $100 to spend on anything she wants — and vice-versa. And although they do make really good money, I personally think that’s a really bad financial plan because LIFE ISN’T FAIR so who cares if the other person spend a few dollars more than you!
On the flip side, I know many other couples where one person only wants to save, save, save, while the other person is much more free with their spending. This almost always causes the “it’s not fair” issue because each spouse is seemingly doing the opposite of the other spouse.
I’m certainly not a financial coach, but in these situations, I do think the most helpful thing is, once again, to just sit down and talk about it with each other — and actually try to understand the other’s point of view. Most of the time, the other person is not purposely trying to upset you or cause issues — we’re just all wired differently (especially when it comes to financial matters).
I could probably keep going and going with various examples, but I think you get the idea!
Life is not always fair. Relationships are not always fair.
If we always focus on how the other person in our relationship seemingly has it easier or better than we do, we will constantly think how unfair our life is. And in my own experience, that often leads to begrudging the other person… and can even end up ruining the relationship.
And like I mentioned at the beginning of this post — this quest for fair DOES NOT ONLY apply to marriage or dating relationships. It can be true of siblings, parents and children (especially grown children), friends, neighbors, extended family members, coworkers, and even casual acquaintances.
It’s SO much easier to jump to conclusions and assume the other person has it better than we do… but the only person we’re hurting when we focus on the potential “unfairness” of our own life is OURSELF!
Happy Anniversary Dave!
Here’s to many more unfair and happy years together.
Debbie says
Such a great post once again! I like how you give so many examples. How many people get frustrated with their spouse or divorce because of this mentality. Sometimes, I think this way especially when I’m tired and have to clean the kitchen once again. Then I think of how my hubs does other household tasks and I don’t hear him complain about it. Life isn’t fair at times for him too. So in the end it all evens out for all.
Candis says
What a great post! Thank you for reminding me, that life really isn’t fair. I am not married, but I help/ raise my niece and nephew (they live with me due to a situation that is totally unfair). You post really lifted my spirits and gave me a fresh perspective. Thank you. Happy Anniversary to you and Dave.
Andrea says
Wow Candis — you sound like you deserve the “aunt of the year” award! I’m sure you are making a huge difference in the lives of your niece and nephew!
Riley says
Great post! I remember reading once in a marriage book that you SHOULD keep score (so to speak) in your marriage- but you should never count what you’re doing- only keep count on the many things your partner does for you. I try to keep that piece in mind whenever I’m ungrateful for my husband and I know he does the same! I also find it so nice that he thanks me for what I’ve done- not that I need it, but its nice to know he notices my hard work. And I do the same for him 🙂
Andrea says
This is awesome advice!! I love the idea of keeping score for how the other person is helping you. Actually we would probably benefit by doing this in all our relationships!
JJ says
Happy Anniversary! =)
Marsha says
I’ve been reading your blog for years and just never comment. But I’ve got to tell you, how much I enjoy and NEED to hear some of the things you post. I’m a stay at home Mom of an autistic child, very stressful. But my husband doesn’t have all the good times!! He works very hard to make a living for us. Thanks for the reminder and may God richly bless you and your growing family.
Andrea says
Thanks so much Marsh! Glad this post “struck a chord” with you and was just what you “needed” right now 🙂
I can’t even imagine how stressful it would be to parent an autistic child… you are strong!
Bree says
Happy anniversary! Praying blessings over your amazing marriage and life! Love your blog too! Bree 😉
Andrea says
Happy anniversary! While I’ve only been married a week and a half now, I’ve been with my husband for ten years and I find this all spot on! I am constantly getting frustrated with his lack of housework, but then I am constantly reminding myself that in ten years, I’ve never once had to cut the grass or plow snow. Not to mention, we’ve never had to make a car payment or pay to have someone else fix our vehicles, since, as a mechanic, he is able to maintain our older vehicles himself. Life ebbs and flows and we are totally wired differently, but we make do with our strengths and weaknesses!
Andrea says
wow — well congrats to you and your hubby too! Enjoy the “honeymoon phase”!!
Janice says
Another wise post, Andrea! My husband and I refer to chores and responsibilities as “Division of Labor” and sometimes the division is NOT equal. It’s gotten to be a sort of funny comeback with one another. “Well, sorry bout that extra work/duty you have. Division of labor.” 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks Janice — I like your “division of labor” reference. It’s always better to make a joke out of something and keep it more light-hearted. Dave is REALLY good at that and it ALWAYS lightens the mood even if we are upset with eachother!
JoDi says
Happy Anniversary! You two are so cute – I love it when you post pictures of yourselves throughout the years. Totally agree with your post! It reminds me of the saying “fair does not mean equal.” (It’s a slightly different concept related more to treating people as individuals, but it applies here too.) Some people only think it’s fair when everything is 50/50, but life is rarely, if ever, that way so having that expectation will only lead to frustration.
Andrea says
Yes, good point — fair does not mean equal!
Also, I’ve heard that relationships really shouldn’t be 50/50, they should be 100/100 — I like that as well 🙂
Carol Triebel says
A former boss once told me that “A fair was somewhere you go to sell pigs” when someone in the office mentioned something not being fair. It helps keep things in perspective.
Great blog!
Andrea says
haha — I love that!!
Rachel says
Today is our 19th Anniversary!! Happy Anniversary to you & Dave. I LOVE your blog. It is seriously my FAVORITE blog of all time 🙂
Andrea says
wow — thanks so much Rachel! And happy anniversary to you too!
Victoria says
I think that’s why I like your blog so much and stopped reading most…I just don’t care for the mushy/sentimental ones! (Which most seem to take a class on or try to copy). Well said. Going on 11 years this year and I think he’s starting to “see things” like the dishwasher example! this reminds me of “the 5 love languages”…Gary chapman I think. A great read for both to connect better with spouse!
Andrea says
haha — glad it only took your hubby 11 years to get it!! And yes, I really like the 5 loves languages book. Dave and I both read that when we were dating.
Oh, and I’m guessing you won’t find mush/sentimental on my blog any time soon 🙂
Jules says
Happy Anniversary! I loved the post but my favorite part was the photos showing 9 years of Andrea hairstyles 🙂 I get teased by family and friends for having different hair year to year so it was fun to be on the ‘audience’ side of it. Of course it helps that they all look great on you.
Here’s to hoping you celebrate an anniversary and a BIRTH DAY very close to each other!
Andrea says
Yup, my hair just keeps getting shorter and shorter every year 🙂
Thanks for your anniversary and baby well wishes. Hopefully we’ll be sharing new soon!!
Chris says
I thought just the same 🙂 I love your hair, Andrea and the different hairstyles in the potos, you look just great with all of them!
My partner and I have been together for 6 years now and my partner encourages me to tell my what I REALLY want and not what I think he wants me to do or say. I am thankful for that because he kind of saves me from myself with this 🙂
Shelly says
Great post! The “It’s Not Fair” almost ruined our marriage early on. Thank God we worked through it and will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in Sept. I have to say after being married so long those type of things don’t come up. We just know what each of us has to do and do it. The nice part now is that the two boys still at home (17,13) are old enough to stay home and we go on dates all the time which is so nice. When they were all little we never lived close to family so most of our marriage we never had dates we had family dates lol.
Happy Anniversary!
Andrea says
wow 25 years — congrats!! Enjoy your date nights — Dave and I will get there in about 15 years!
Candace says
Happy Anniversary! This is a great post that I truly think could help a lot of couples. Love your blog, Andrea!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Candace!
lydia @ frugaldebtfreelife says
Amen to that! Life isn’t fair. My husband travels a lot and I am at home alone with our LOs. For a long time I was resentful. And then I got over it. Traveling and living in hotel rooms can’t be easy. And he is missing so much.
Also, yes to the telling your spouse what you want and need. I can’t tell you how many friends have complained to me and I have responded “have you talked to your husband about this?” I am shocked by the looks on their faces. People can’t read your mind, you have to be very direct.
Andrea says
I think every relationship in general could benefit from just SAYING WHAT THEY WANT. I’ve often been told that I’m “too blunt” but I always respond by saying “I don’t beat around the bush and at least you always know what I want”.
I hate it when people try to “hint” at things and then get upset when others don’t take the hint.