Mark is in Washington DC this week. So, Mark being gone + lots of quiet time at night to think = saving of the worlds problems, right?! Okay, maybe not, but since I don't really like watching TV it has lead to a lot of reading and reflection. With him gone, most of my reflection lately has been on my marriage, my family and the parameters and direction of my life.
On Monday, Mark and I skyped and he told me about his training and how after he was finished he went sightseeing around DC. I originially was worried as he would be bumming around DC in the dark...as a tourist...by himself. Seems like a great recipe for a mugging to me. Anyway, on his ride on the metro he met up with a fellow trainee heading out to sightsee as well. Awesome...power in numbers. He'll have someone to talk to, someone to help him out, and he *accidently* forgot the camera, so someone to document his travels! :)
Now, call me dumb, but does it make a difference that this fellow trainee was a woman? Upon sharing my thoughts with some friends, their initial reaction was, what?! He's traveling with another woman?! I've never questioned the faithfulness of my husband. Perhaps, this is a naive way of living, but I am secure enough in myself to know there are people out there far more intelligent and beautiful than I am, and last I checked, his vision is pretty good. He chooses to be with me and for that I am very grateful. Mark was also blessed with a moral compass that gives him better direction than most GPS. If there was ever a need for "recalculating" I feel like he would include me in those decisions.
So, I let these comments get to me for about an hour and then I gave up on them. I think at the end of it I was more upset that my friends, instead of supporting me while he's gone, would put these ideas into my head. I am not ignorant to unfaithfulness, divorce, etc. (In fact, when I first started my job a co-worker told me that Mark was great for a first husband, but high-school sweethearts never last.) However, I refuse to be a part of a marriage that isn't based on trust. Even if I can't trust the woman he is sightseeing with, I can trust him to put her in her place if she got any ideas...and if she did, it would also serve as a compliment to the great taste I have in men...he really is amazing, I'd pick him up all over again if I had the chance!
3 comments:
I know what you mean, in many ways. Cory travels and works with co workers who are women all the time and I am so thankful that I don't have to worry about his faithfulness. I think that your friend's reaction is kind of insulting to Mark.
One positive thing about the travel for me, the distance really does make the heart grow even fonder!
I hear ya! The last two weekends Tony has had to work on Saturdays. I get it and it doesn't bother me. What bothered me was tailgating when I told a family friend (who is rather loud and obnoxious sometimes) and the said he wasn't working that he was cheating. I know that it isn't true- but it isn't fair that those people get to put those thoughts into our heads to make us question everything our spouse says or does for the next week! It was bugging me- until I remembered I know more about my husband and his job than this person. :) You and Mark have a wonderful marriage- one that should be admired. I hope the rest of your week goes well!!
Hopefully, you know where I stand on all of this. It wouldn't have bothered me in the least if Chris called me up and said he was sight-seeing with a fellow trainee who happens to be a woman. In fact, Chris went to AZ last spring with several women. I would be happy that Chris had friends and could "protect" this fellow traveler, if needed. I agree with Makenzie-- it isn't fair for someone to put ideas of potential (okay, not really potential at all, because we know our husbands better than anyone else in the world) cheating/unfaithfulness in our heads. High school sweethearts do last, and so do lots of other relationships. You've got an awesome thing going!
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