As Valentine’s Day approaches and as the stores fill their shelves with overpriced candy and flowers, and restaurants promote their special prix fixe menus, I have to grin and bear it because in the 32 years I have been with my husband, I have always known he has another love. One for whom he has held great affection. One he pines away for when he can spend time with her. The one he plans vacations with. The one on whom he spends all his money to make her feel pretty and loved. The truth is out there now. My husband is having an affair… with his boat.
Every day I have to hear him waxing poetic about her, which quite frankly annoys me because:
- She is younger than me.
- She has serious flaws.
- High maintenance? That phrase was invented because of her.
And let’s face it, she plays it up. She takes a lot of his money to keep her fresh-looking, and then she beckons him with her siren’s song.
🎶 Come see me. You can relax here. You can have fun with me. We can go to interesting places. My sails will talk to you in a comforting and quiet voice, as you contemplate your thoughts and dreams. 🎶
While I ask him for things such as his time for house projects and date nights, she is always just patiently sitting around, waiting for him—happy for whatever crumbs of time he can spare. In the colder months, when he ignores her, she doesn’t complain and is quite happy with an occasional visit and talks about new adventures to come.
I know I cannot compete with such a mistress. Quite frankly, I don’t want to. I have come to terms with the fact that I share him. That he needs both of us for different reasons. She gives him memories of his youth and soothes his soul. I give him a foundation of love and the desire to keep working together to continue to build this beautiful life we both created. Together, we navigate with him through the course he has mapped out, and we will do that happily, sharing his time and love… but watch out, girl. I have seen him making eyes at other models—younger, faster, and with more bells and whistles. Our boy may stray again, but I’ve got your stern. I will find a nice retirement mooring for you down south, where you can enjoy the warm breezes all year round and only have to put up with him on an occasional visit. That sounds ideal. Maybe I will join you!
