WOW!!!

She left a Post-it note dead centre on the bathroom mirror. “Let’s use this day to take inventory of our relationship.”

Normally, something like this would send me into a tailspin of insecurities and questions as to why or what I did wrong? But before she left this morning, she had kissed my forehead and whispered “I am so grateful you exist.” One of the hundred ways she tells me she loves me without using those three little words. I knew exactly what she meant by ‘take inventory’. We had talked endlessly about always checking in, always communicating, and more than anything, always reflect and be grateful for each other. So as I brushed my teeth and stared at the haggard guy staring back at me in the mirror, I simply drifted off into thoughts of us. Began reflecting on our relationship.

The point of this exercise, she once told me cupping my face in her hands, is to allow each other time to focus on our relationship, help us break through the log jam of eventual stagnation, and hopefully propel us forward so that we can better support each other; provide an opportunity to heal unhealthy patterns of dysfunction and selfishness. Taking inventory helps make informed choices, avoid unnecessary ill feelings, and address all aspects of what we call ‘us’. Rediscover why we chose each other in the first place and also meet head on what we see as challenging, disheartening and even painful. Share our truths. Shake off expectations. Be present. Move forward.

I crawled back into bed and began writing.

The bathroom mirror now has 104 post-it notes plastered on it, eagerly waiting for her to get home. One-upmanship is perhaps something I need to work on.

daily-esprit-descalier

Alena / Maxim Romanov

Riley Reid

Brittani Bader for Andi Bagus