‘Our marriage isn’t 50/50. We don’t keep scoreboards. We love as much as you can, whenever we can. The rest will fall into place.’: Woman reminds us relationships are all about ‘recognizing needs’

“Our marriage is not 50/50.

Like, not even close.

There is nothing equal about our moments, our days, our responsibilities.

Because we decided L O N G ago that 50/50?

Well, it just don’t work for us.

For when my daddy was ill, and cancer was destroying the last little bit of life that he had left –

I didn’t have 50% in me to give.

When he was starting that new job, and was consumed day and night by getting in all that he could learn –

He didn’t have 50% in him to give.

When I was recovering from giving birth to a child, and spent all night nursing such child –

I didn’t have 50% in me to give.

When his best friend unexpectedly passed away, and he had to learn how to live a life without someone he thought he would have for another forty years –

He didn’t have 50% to give.

Sure, some days look like 50/50.

I’ll cook the dinner as he sets the table.

I’ll do the dishes as he sweeps the floor.

I’ll do homework with one as he does it with another.

But we have chosen to never keep score.

For there are days when that scoreboard will be on his favor; there are days when it will be in mine.

But scoreboards?

They work for soccer, basketball, baseball.

They work for games…

They don’t work for relationships.

A relationship is one day showing up 80, while giving grace when your favorite can only show up 20.

A relationship is one day showing up 30, while giving thanks to your favorite who is showing up 70.

Relationships are about recognizing as partners who needs what, and when.

Don’t keep scoreboards.

Just love as much as you can, whenever you can.

The rest will fall into place.”

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This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Heather Delaney of Love Always, Heather. You can follow her journey on Instagram. Submit your own story here and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Read more from Heather:

‘He doesn’t buy flowers or cook romantic meals, but he always pushes the grocery cart.’: Woman claims ‘love is found’ in small gestures, learns to accept husband as is

‘Life gets loud. Pay attention to the nudges in marriage. The cues. Don’t ignore them, don’t fight them.’: Woman urges ‘you can’t put your spouse on the backburner’

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