By Mo Larson
So my husband Joe and I have been married for almost 14 years. I like to refer to it as “14 years of wedded bliss”. Sometimes the statement is ironic, and sometimes it is right on the money. If you are married, or have been married, or are in a committed relationship, you know that marriage takes a LOT of work. Or the good ones do anyway. One thing that Joe and I agreed on when we said our vows was that we’d always work hard on our marriage. And that we’d never become vegetarians. We were smart enough to know that our marriage could never endure that.
There are numerous reasons I married Joe. He’s really kind to people, he’s extremely optimistic about life, and he’s easy on the eyes. I don’t think anyone would ever refer to Joe as a metrosexual, but if you’re acquainted with my husband you know that he has a sort of cave man magnetism. Sorry for any unsettling images.
One of the main reasons I married Joe though, is that I instinctively knew that he’d be a really amazing dad. Plus he’s hot. From the time I was in about the 5th grade, as I began the uphill climb out of what I’ll generously refer to as “my tomboy days”, I knew that I wanted to have kids someday. Up until then I was still wearing my brother Brendon’s hand-me-downs, and I had an unfashionably short haircut that resulted in me being called “little man” at the gas station one time. Seriously. My mom told me that it was a “Dorothy Hammill” haircut, and that all of the chic little girls were getting it.
Anyway, it was around this time that I discovered boys and began the process of identifying the characteristics that I would look for in my future husband. This process was not short, nor was it easy. But surprisingly, it only took me about 10 years from the time I became interested in boys (and not in terms of which boy should be my first pick for the kickball team, but the other kind of interested) until I skipped down the aisle to marry Joe. It certainly hasn’t been all rainbows and chirping birds over the last 13 years. Actually, chirping birds kind of annoy me, so that’s not the best example to use. Or maybe it describes our marriage perfectly: lots of rainbows, with occasional annoying bird sounds.
I realize that this is a website geared toward women and moms, and you may be wondering why I’m writing about a dude on a website geared toward women and moms. The reason is because I wouldn’t be half the mom I am if it weren’t for Joe. On my best days I’d be probably a quarter the mom I am with Joe at my side. MAYBE a third. But you get the picture. What I’m trying to say is that my husband helps me to be the best mom that I can be.
The greatest part about being married to Joe (aside from his parenting talents and the fact that he can pack a minivan more efficiently than anyone I know) is that he’s my best friend. I know, cheesy, right? But I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t absolutely true. Plus he’s REALLY hot. But I digress. The other night we were watching T.V. and a preview for a horror movie came on. I hate being scared. Maybe its because I’m the youngest child in my family and my 2 older brothers used to get a real hoot out of scaring me. But the point is, I do not enjoy scary movies AT ALL. So before I noticed that it was a preview for a scary movie, Joe says, “Cover your eyes.” I know, right? Does it get any sweeter than that? More valuable than diamonds or a big lake house as far as I’m concerned.
And if being a really amazing dad as well as my best friend isn’t enough, there’s always the fact that he never complains about the fact that I can’t cook worth a darn. For other women that are reading this, I hope that you are lucky enough to have your own “Joe”. But if you run into my Joe on the streets of Missoula, please resist the urge to flirt with him, as he’s quite susceptible to flattery.
Mo Larson, a 34 year resident of Missoula, has been blissfully married to the man of her dreams for 13 1/2 years. She is the mother of 3: Ben (10), Jake (7) and Scarlett Jayne (4), and has enjoyed all of the glory of being a stay-at-home mom for the last 7 years. Mo and her husband recently started a business in Missoula called SoccerTots, and she loves the challenge of again working outside of the home. She dreams about uninterrupted showers, a kid-free bed, and half-price coffee.
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Oh my gosh Mo! I love this post so much! Not only did I have the same hair cut (my “little man” comment came when I held the door for someone at Uncle Bruce’s restaurant–”why thank you so much little boy”) but I am a horrid cook too, and chirping birds make me wish I owned a pistol. I love what you said about Joe–what a gift you guys have in each other. Keep up the good work. This was great!
Delightful!
Now that I’ve quit laughing hysterically, I’ll say what a sweet read this was! Great job, Mo! Keep it coming!
What a great read. I love your style of writing, Mo, and I love it that it comes through that after nearly 14 years of marriage you treat your husband like a boyfriend and continue to delight in him. He sounds like quite a manly man and the world needs plenty of those kind of guys. Thanks for writing!
Mo, the ability to laugh at each other appears to have glued you two together…I love the pic of your precious ones…if only more kids had the role model you two have provided…God bless and keep writing…Love
I really hope you have this picture of your kids blown up and in a really nice frame on your wall. It is the best.
What a sweet and funny post. I especially enjoy the rainbow and chirping bird metaphor. ha. I agree with Elke about that photo of your kids. Perfection.
Mo, What a delightful read. Having been there from the beginning, well maybe even before the beginning, let’s just say there were a few frogs in the line up before you found your prince. I continue to love watching you and your exceptionally hot husband raise your amazing kids and fall more and more in love as the years go by.
God’s hand is for sure in your family!
Mo, Deb passed this along to Kari and I and I am so glad she did. This is amazing! I miss you guys! Loves from Minnesota.
I’d refer to Joe as a metrosexual
AND
You’re a fantastic cook! What are you talking about?