The Big Things
I do not mean to devalue ‘the little things‘ addressed by a guest writer, as I agree that ‘the little things’ are undeniably important, but the big things are also worth praising.
This weekend, my boyfriend and I went furniture shopping to fill the space that is our new home. I, a recent college graduate who works two jobs and can hardly keep up with my credit card debt, is obviously in no position to go to IKEA and drop enough dough to outfit a 2 bedroom house, so my boyfriend picked up the bill. This is not money that he borrowed (or took) from his family, rather it is money that he made by working really hard at his job. As we left the furniture Mecca that is IKEA and throughout the rest of the night, I thanked him profusely for all that he has provided. Things that no doubt, are big by many definitions of the term. He assured me that it was no problem. All he asked in return is that I do the small things. Help him with his laundry, help him keep the fridge full of fresh veggies and cold beer, help him keep the house tidy. I never saw myself as a Suzy Homemaker, especially at the ripe age of 23, but what my boyfriend has provided for me in the last few years has been so substantial, that the least I can do is make him coffee and keep the bed made.
It’s a balance, and it is delicate. I think it can be the breaking point in a lot of relationships- when one gives and the other takes, but it’s all relative. I give what I can- the small things. I cook a meal here, do a load of laundry there, buy him drinks when I can, and in return, he keeps me safe and comfortable, which are very big things.