By Rachel Langston
For many people living in Alabama, a mixed marriage means a University of Alabama alum/fan married to an Auburn Universiy alum/fan. I confess that I am in a mixed marriage but it is not a mixed football loyalty. MY mixed marriage consists of me, a piler, being married to my husband, a hanger. Typically, it goes a little something like this…
HUSBAND: “Have you seen my (fill in blank with name of clothing article that requires ironing) ?”
ME: “Have you checked the ironing pile?”
HUSBAND: “Explain to me again why we have an ironing PILE.”
ME: “I only get in the mood to iron about 2 or 3 times a year. When I am in the mood, I would rather do it all at once.”
HUSBAND: “Wouldn’t it just be simpler to hang it up and iron it when you are ready to wear it?”
Here’s the deal…he grew up in a house where clothes were ironed as they were needed. I grew up in a house where ironing was performed all at once. Things that were not ready to be worn were not hung in our closets. Neither way is right or wrong; it’s just a matter of what you are used to!
My husband and I have been married almost 10 years. In that time, we have come to realize that there are bigger issues than the ironing. He doesn’t understand why I do it the way I do but he has come to accept it. He is perfectly happy for me to iron his things IF they are in the pile and IF the stars and planets align correctly and IF I happen to get in an ironing mood. If not, he quietly “shops” in the ironing pile and irons them for himself. I think it’s a perfect arrangement!
Copyright, RPL Communications, 2006
