Briefcase on the Kitchen Table

Avery and I went to the store and we had to take the Metro as we are still car-less. To make the haul a bit easier, we both emptied our backpacks to fill with our goods. I told Avery that we probably looked odd walking in to a grocery store with backpacks on. He said “Well I know, but it really isn’t fair is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, girls can carry huge purses but a guy can’t carry a bag that big in to a store without looking weird.”

“So, what? You want a purse?”

“Maybe I do. Maybe this is my purse.”

“Your man purse?”

“Honey, this is my man purse”.

We are different, men and women. These differences will always be there, married or not. We are different not just because of our natural differences but because of societal rules as well. There are plenty of societal rules about marriage too and the role we all are supposed to play in our marriages. This is just the opinion of one very newly married young woman but I say screw it. There are about a million and one societal expectations about how we are supposed to live our lives. I have to wonder how many people get so caught up in fulfilling everyone else’s expectations of a “perfect marriage” or a “perfect relationship” or the “perfect balance” that they forget to actually look at their partner and figure out what makes them happy? Just like raising children, people have a million and one opinions on how a marriage should play out. While I am not saying disregard all advice, it can be difficult to parse out the true gems from the just plain poppy-cock. Trust the advice of those you love and who you have already trusted with many other things. Beyond that, trust in your partner. And walk next him proudly if he ever actually decides to take the leap and get that man purse.