Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Small Things

( Words & Pictures)

A cup of tea in the morning to help me wake gently and face the day. The driveway gates left open and the outside light shining bright for me when I come home after a night's teaching. They sound like small things, these little kindnesses.

He doesn't sweep me off my feet with grand gestures or lavish gifts. But he has driven me to work during thunderstorms when my own phobias have prevented me from doing it myself. He fixes my punctures. He fixes my aunt's punctures. Actually, he fixes everything. He accepts my utter squeamishness and deals with the vomit clean-ups and the dead birds. He comes to my tap performances and acts as my roadie.

He wanted to surprise me once with a pushbike. A friend passed on a red womens bike and he spent ages doing it up as a surprise, his little secret-in-the-shed that only he and the boys knew about. And then when it was finished he decided that my original chunky purple bike was far more me and fixed that up instead. I remember that as one of the most romantic things he's ever said to me.

He remembers (mostly) to tape shows for me when I'm out working, to turn my electric blanket on before bedtime on cold nights and to check first before he organises a night out or a weekend motorbike ride with his mates.

He's a male, he's fallible. He doesn't always get it right. But the small things he does for me, willingly, reliably and lovingly add up to a great big love.

small things_7904

37 comments:

Michelle said...

oh wow! Such lovely heartfelt words. Very special.

Kirsty said...

This post is beautiful.

I love your "little kindnesses". He's a keeper.

Selina said...

that is so sweet! love it when they turn the blankies on for you!

M said...

It's all about the little things. Trust a guy that will turn your lecky-blanky on before you trust a guy who brings home flowers. This is M's theory and she's sticking to it.

Blue Mountains Mary said...

What M said.

He shows true thoughtfulness.

handmade romance said...

Beautiful. What a sweetheart x

Ali said...

Beautiful post. He sounds like a good one. It's amazing the things that (as a real adult woman with kids) become the height of romance, isn't it? A bit different from how one might imagine in youth.

peppermintpatcher said...

Those are the things that really matter.

(Don't forge that he also tells you all about physics- that is lovely too.)

Laura Jane said...

Mmm, Mr Nice Fixit. Good catch hon.

persiflage said...

Yes, I reckon he is pretty special, and a good bloke.
Loved your photo: thanks very much. That zip should be fixed though.

sueeeus said...

Awwwwwwwwww, shucks! So, so sweet. Congratulations on your nearly 15 years together!

Frogdancer said...

That's just lovely.

You're right... it's the little things. Anyone can make a sweeping gesture once in a while, but constantly doing the little things shows real love and commitment.

Molly said...

He sounds like a keeper to me!

meggie said...

Oh he is about as perfect as a man can be!

h&b said...

aww, that is so sweet ( as is that photograph )

awww !

Alison said...

What a lovely post! It is indeed the little things that count. (That, and being able to fix things).

Zip n Tizzy said...

Ahhh... you've got 2 years on us.

I still think the spontaneous, unplanned proposal I received in front of the refrigerator, was the most romantic proposal ever. It was heartfelt.

These daily gestures, of things we genuinely need and desire are so important. And they stand the test of time. I'll take that over slick and debonnaire any day. It's trustworthy.

Yay for you and Mr. Fixit. He's a keeper.

Maureen said...

Those small things do add up to big love, don't they.

Warty Mammal said...

So romantic. Especially the part about cleaning up the puke.

crafty said...

That's true romance alright.

crafty said...

15 years?

Wow.

The Mummy and The Muse said...

That is the sort of romance I want...

shula said...

I think he's worth his weight in bike parts, myself.

Alisa : Ink Caravan said...

How wonderful, to write about someone with such love after 15 years together. What a fabulous gift!

Duyvken said...

Beautiful! I love that photo you have framed, lovely.

meet me at mikes said...

Aw. I'm crying a little bit in happiness for you. I think you deserve a medal for actually noticing those little things. If everyone took a leaf out of your book, there would be a lot more people smiling and making goo goo eyes at one another. You are great.

Melinda said...

Those are the things that keep you from strangling them on the bad days. The hormone days. The little thoughtful things that do mean more than the big gestures.

Melinda said...

P.S. This post got lost in my subscriptions! Just got it now!! Sorry I'm so late.

trashalou said...

You get told about physics too?

twolimeleaves said...

He's a good one, SG. And so are you. Keep each other.xxxx

Stacey said...

Now you've got me crying. So sweet. The little things add up to a whole lot of love I think.
You two are the real deal, me thinks.

Cloudbusting said...

lovely post

Woman in a Window said...

And what a perfect picture. I like that it's not staged, but a moment, a perfect moment.

Judi said...

sounds like love to me...

My float said...

Oh, that's so beautiful. Aren't you two lucky!

Surfing Free said...

oooh, what a great bloke :) 15 years together ... wow!!!

Anonymous said...

He sounds just lovely.
(dancingmorganmouse)