The prompt for this post is: "How do I make myself the best partner for my significant other?"
Obviously, the easy answer is to be rich, like seriously rich. That advice breaks down though for many people. Not even at the being rich part, but at the being a decent person part.
I have always had a pretty simple view on the whole needing to be with someone else protocol. I have watched everyone lose their minds over it, and never seen the appeal of running around like a headless chicken still scratching for feed.
Not to say I haven't fallen into the trap. I would like to think I do learn and one thing I have maybe not learnt but reinforced is that if you struggle to take care of yourself why would you drag someone else into it with you?
That might be a bit of a one sided look at things, but I think it is a good litmus test and sometimes things still just happen.
You don't have the money, opportunities are far and in between and yet you both stay together. Not in some weird co-dependent toxic relationship. Just simply a choice to remain and try together tomorrow again and again.
"Goodmorning beautiful." I whisper, turning to my side. "Did you sleep well?"
She smiles, eyes still closed and wriggles closer to me. I lean forward and kiss her on the cheek then I get up to start the day.
Coming out of the shower I realise it is a Saturday. The week has been a bit of a blur, but my spirits lift a bit.
During the week I mainly go around trying to do odd jobs for people on top of the work we both get to do online. Nothing is ever truly certain but we make do.
I never really saved or had a fancy pension so the days are filled with trying to make up for an inconsiderate younger self. Fortunately I have Her, or I would have no reason to even try.
As unfortunate as is may seem that we both need to work in our 70's I think we also enjoy it and frankly it may be keeping us feeling young.
I do try to take on more work where I can so She won't feel too pressured, but I think if I told her there is no need for her to do except for what She would like to then I will get told to stick it up my whooza.
So, this is the way. We are together because it makes us stronger, it is always our choice.
Back to why my spirit lifted.
As I get dressed I tell her the plans for the day, "Love, how do you feel about a midday movie, afternoon ice cream and sunset dinner?"
Quick as a flash She appears in the doorway, and I pause for a moment to smile at her before doing a bunny jump to pull my pants all the way up.
"Goodmorning my beautiful." I say and smile at Her, knowing the answer is yes.
All dressed and ready I let her know I am heading out to collect my payments for the week. Some people I do work for only pay me end of week since not all have the money at hand and some give us things for the house.
I think She actually gets more excited over the things we get given at times, but more than that it somehow makes Her happy that I am actually doing work to help others who can't afford it and the things given are but gifts.
Getting back from my rounds, we get ready to go watch a movie at the cinema and I get to treat Her with her favourite candy for during. Obviously I also brought our own drinks because I am not paying those crazy prices, and got the nod of approval from Her so together we will be sticking it to the man.
After the movie we get some ice-cream and have a long walk down to the restaurant, which was a surprise.
I know She has wanted to go there for a few months now, but there just has not been the funds. She would never demand we go but I have been saving up on the side since I knew it opened.
I say it is a surprise but that is more just a description for the reader. To Her it was no surprise, as soon as our walk went in the restaurants general direction I got the knowing smile from her and we contently enjoyed our ice-creams without needing to address what we both knew.
It was a great time during dinner, and yes nice food but just the change of location always made us feel a bit more jovial.
After we headed home and did our routine before bed.
Tomorrow we will spend the day on the couch , a little bit of planning, a little bit of reflecting and a whole lot of reassured caring until the days no longer come.
Challenge link: @kenechukwu97/thinkers-corner-challenge-february-is-all-about-valentine | Image generated by Dall-E