If you have been reading my blog for any time you probably know that I am married to this guy Jerry, with whom I also happen to work. Often people say to us, “I don’t know how you do it, I could never work with my spouse.”
To be honest sometimes we don’t know how we do it either. And sometimes we have to work through what Doug (who also works with his wife) calls, “Business Card Roulette.” It goes something like this. While we are inside the walls of this building my business card trumps yours. Once we walk out the door that may all change!
Thinking back, in the twenty plus years we’ve been married we have only worked at separate companies for about 6 of those years. I recall many conversations when we were dating and engaged and dreaming about our future – almost always they included working together.
Was that because we were starry eyed in love? Most definitely.
Is it because we waited longer than most to marry so we wanted to redeem as much time together as we could? Possibly.
Is it because we are strong willed and enjoy a good challenge? Some days it feels like that.
Is it the way God built us? Likely.
One of Jerry’s favorite lines about working together is:
The best part about working other? We’re together all the time (said with a positive lilt in his voice). The hardest part about working together? We’re together ALL. . . THE . . . TIME (said in a different tone to the previous statement). And, at the end of the day SHE gets to take me home (again with a smiling lilt in his voice).
Are there days when a little more time apart might be beneficial? Certainly, and over the years we have found a number of ways to create some personal space even in our togetherness at work and home.
Overall though, I am thankful that this is the way God built us and called us together. There is something very soul settling to know that the one I am one with on this earth shares my dreams, my challenges, my days and my nights.
It may not work for everyone, but I am glad it does for us!