Different Strokes for Different Folks

Different Interests

Contrary to what some think, having different interests is actually good for couples. It’s these differences that help to enrich relationships.

In my marriage, our differences are most prominent in the ways we choose to relax.

It starts off with a common thing that we enjoy. For my wife and I, it’s buying the latest stuff. But with the advent of the recession, we have taken to enjoying the simple pleasure of window shopping.

Our weekends normally start off with our chores and errands. These are done on Saturday mornings as most shops will only be open during that time.

Once done, we head off to the mall to have lunch together. After enjoy, what tends to be simple meals now a days, we go our separate ways for the afternoon.

For my wife, window shopping consists of visiting by the ladies’ section in the department store. She’ll check out the trendiest dresses, blouses, and pants. This is followed by a trip to the flea market for the latest jewelry and bags. Once done perusing, she will be found in the home section going over the coolest linen or most relaxing curtains.

On the other hand, I will make the rounds on the computer floor to drool over the latest technology. This is followed by a visit to the game shop where I read up on information of the latest computer games. I then end my tour in the hardware store to check out the latest equipment.

Every now and then, my wife will ask to meet up somewhere via text. After talking about stuff that would be perfect on her or for the house, we’d part ways to continue our wandering.

Since I tend to finish my window shopping earlier than she does, I accompany her for the rest of her rounds. If she’s lucky, she would have come across an irresistible sale or two, resulting in her toting a bag of goodies. If not, we’d talk about stuff which would be nice-to-have but too expensive-to-buy in an animated fashion.

Once all of our favorite places have been visited, we tiredly make our way back to the car and drop off the medicines to our parents. Then it is back home for a nice dinner and relaxing movie.

Different Skills

By acknowledging individual interests, couples are able to bring a different set of expertise to a couple’s home.

For me, I lack any form of creativity that is helpful in making a house a home. As a bachelor, the colors all around me were either black or white. I’d have a few bold colors but would only use to highlight things in a masculine way.

When I got married, it was actually a breath of fresh air to see some of the harsh stuff get softened out. My white blinds were replaced by beige curtains. My black stools gave way to a paisley living room set. And my action movies were joined by chick flicks. My house truly became a home with her tastes.

With the softening of my place, hosting a dinner or birthday party went up several notches. Friends love to lounge in the couches and kids enjoy watching family-oriented movies. Overall, the comment of guests is that our home makes them feel very welcome.

And though my wife’s differences have certainly changed a lot of things around our home, much our distinct personalities still remain.

Lest you think I have become overshadowed around the house, I will cut you short and say that my interests in tools and electronics still reign supreme. And I am proud to say that my wife is more than happy to leave the details of these things to me.

During Sundays I’ll be found toiling away on my workbench as I repair the crack of a wooden chair in the dining room. I’d be adding threads to a new pipe in the kitchen sink. I’d be soldering wires on the conked out radio in the living room. Or I will be found finding a way to salvage a leaking water hose in the garden.

All in all, it’s these differences that help make relationships much, much richer.

For my wife, it’s like being able to mix and match clothes, bags, and shoes in creative ways. In my case, I get to enjoy seeing her creatively mix things up to breathe life to her wardrobe.

For me, things are a bit less creative as it is like being entertained by a ton of channels on a wide screen LCD TV. In her case, she enjoys watching the shows with me as we munch on hot buttered popcorn in the evenings.

Ah yes, different strokes for different folks; it’s not necessary a bad thing. On the contrary, I expect our relationship would be totally boring without it.