My Best Friend

For years, I've scoffed at people who would make comments that their spouse was their best friend.  You see, I thought that demeaned my wife.  In my mind, a husband or a wife was to be held in higher esteem than just a friend.  After all, friends come and go, and friendships are often fleeting, especially when times are tough.  Your spouse is going to be there for you through thick and thin and they are going to be there with you for the rest of your life.  I felt it was lowering your spouse down to the level of a friend.

Ironically, at the same time, I've always been sad that I didn't have a close friend.  I never had a buddy, a pal, an old college roommate who has always been by my side.  You see them in movies all the time.  So what was wrong with me that I didn't have a best friend.  It was a sadness that I have seemed to have had ever since high school.

Well, I've come to the conclusion that I'm an idiot (no comments from the peanut gallery!!)   You see, here I was sad because I didn't have someone to plug into that hole of "best friend" yet everything that I wanted in a best friend I already had in my wife.  She is my buddy, my pal, my old college roommate who has always been by my side (don't tell my kids that last part---I'll deny it)  My wife is that person who can always make me smile and who I can talk about anything to.  She is the person who I can just sit with and do nothing and be entertained.  She is the person who I miss when they aren't around.

I've also realized that a 41 married guy with three kids doesn't need that "best friend" that I felt I'd always been missing.  Sure, it would have been great in high school or college but at this point in my life that type of friendship would be just too difficult.  For the most part, because it would be too time consuming.  I'm a father.  I'm a husband.  That vocation is what my life purpose is all about and I really don't have time for a close friendship.   Sure, I have friends----good friends---friends who I know will be there to help me in a moments notice and who know I will help them with whatever they need.   I love the friends I have.  But I don't have the time for that bosom buddy type of friendship.  That time is reserved for my wife and kids.

Saying that my wife is my best friend doesn't take anything from her status as my bride.  I think it only describes part of our relationship.   I guess a marriage that isn't composed of friendship is a marriage that is going to be difficult.  Yes, it's important to hold your spouse and the mother of your children up on a pedestal but she has to be someone you want to spend the rest of your life with.