Superpower in marriage

Been in management means one needs to be ready for anything. Like the day when the big fat guy showed up in our office. Turns out, he has a chain of bakeries and he wanted to market it all over the city. The mean guy who once wanted to market his super size vegetables in farmers market. We have seen pretty much everything... or so we thought. Till one day, a beautiful redhead came to the office. (wow, what a nice perfume she had put on). She was representing a comic company and wanted to market their latest book on superpower girl.

"JD, look at her." - said Peter, during the briefing with the beautiful redhead.

"Yeah, I know Peter, she has amazing brown eyes and beautiful voice."

"Voice!! Heck, I didn't knew this sketch was speaking out to you. And tell me how can this pencil sketch tell you the color of her eyes." - said Peter while holding out the superpower girl sketch on my face.

"I meant her, Pete. Come on look at her, she is sooo "

"beautiful. I get it JD. Damm you. You need to get married."

"Sorry, Pete. I wont fall in the trap you did."

"Na man. Marriage is not a trap. It is the most beautiful thing happening in your life. Before marriage you were all alone in this world. Now you have a life partner, who will be with you all the way in your life. Who will support you, stand with you, be your hope ..."

"Yes Pete. I got it. Please save the remaining speech after I drink 2 full beers."

"You know JD. You may not realize it now, but someday you will." - said Peter, as we walk out of the meeting room.

"So, what does this super girl do? Fly in sky, super strong, climb on rooftops, walk through walls." - I said, trying to change the topic.


"For that, we need to read all this. Its the characters file. Everything you want to know." - said Pete, who by now, was not looking happy about my view on marriages.

That night, I was in my apartment; trying to watch TV and planing to eat some leftovers. The show was "home improvement". (One of my best shows.) While watching how Tim handles his married life and giving Allan suggestions if he should go ahead and propose his girlfriend or not, I got lost in my own thoughts.

I kept thinking as to what defines a successful married life. Is it, the amount of years we spend with each other or the amount of love we have for each other or is it trusting each other or believing in your life partner. I have seen many weddings. I can see how the bride and bridegroom look to each other with love and passion. Somehow, I dint see that same glittering thing after a few years. Whats that something which was there during the wedding, is now completely disappeared.

I have seen couple of my friends marriages, which didn't last long. Somehow, they were done over with each other. While some marriages are still intact and going strong. Some are okay, they go along each other in some mutual understanding like a cruise control car.

It seems like having a successful married life needs to have superpower couple in it. Earlier it was only you... but now its us. So the things we did it out all alone is now no more. We don't have to think of just us, but ours is the new word. Hence, now we are doing things beyond capabilities of just 1 person. Now, that's superpower.

Rinnnggggggg ....... came the sound of the alarm clock.

"Ohh shit... I am getting late."

Today was the beginning of weekend for me and it was 7 in morning. Though I was suppose to lay down in my bed and enjoy the sleep till the sun is on my top, but today, I had to visit my parents in nearby town. We were having a get-to-gather of our family and cousins. Its the tradition we follow. Every year, we will get to gather around somebody house and celebrate the whole weekend. Its almost like a carnival. The whole farm house gets filled up. We see kids running along, entertainers performing, cousins chatting, big wooden table under the oak tree decorated with lavishing meal.. it is just pleasant.

I tried my best to reach home by 11 AM. Its 2 hrs drive, but during weekend mornings, apparently everybody in the city wakes up early and shows himself on the interstate. I cant believe, why people want to rush out of the city so early. Hey come on, its Saturday... sleep in bed for gods sake. My mind, was yelling all that loud, while I find myself stuck in the traffic.

Finally, when the traffic got cleared, I drove as if I was flying in the air. Talking with wind, listening to sound of birds and siren.......

"siren.... damm it. Its the cop." - I said looking in the rear view mirror.

The time I reach my parents farm house, it was noon. It seemed like all my cousins had already arrived and the atmosphere was in full swing.

"Ahh, there you are. What took you so long?" - said mom, when she saw me sneaking into the house.

"I ... I .. huh... rain... yes, terrible rain .... flash flood... traffic all over the interstate."

"Let me guess...." - said my Dad from behind. "Overslept... huh and a ticket."

Mom and dad burst out laughing. "Drive safe honey, don't rush. Its okay to be late rather than to lie in hospital... remember?" - said mom. "Come on now, get fresh. The brunch is almost getting over. So hurry up."

The carnival was great. I got to meet my cousins. Caught up with whats going on. Meet my uncle's and aunt's. It was lovely out there. In night, we had camp fire lit. People singing along the fire, country music playing, everybody seemed to have good time.

That night, I was sitting out in the veranda when.

"Having a good time son?" - uncle Earl said, while walking down slowly trying not to spill the drink.

"Yes, uncle Earl. Having one of the best times in my life."

"Ha ha ha ha. That's good my son. Your parents and I always wanted to have this idea when all of our family, all generations can meet up together for a family bonding time." - said Uncle Earl, while trying to sit in the arm chair.

"Uncle Earl. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead. But I told you, I am not going to dance tomorrow."

"ha ha ha ha. No, that's not a problem uncle." - I said smiling. The last time when Uncle Earl danced was last year, he broke a table, 2 chairs and placed the dent on the floor. "What I wanted to ask you uncle is, what do you think defines a successful marriage."

"Said what!!!.. are you dating anybody young man? .. huh.... or is it the vegas thing? Because tell me. Your parents will not say anything against your love once I say my word."

"No, uncle Earl. I have nobody. Nor I got married with anybody in Vegas. Its just that I wanted to know what lies in the strength for a successful marriage."

"Son, to tell you the truth. It is a mixture of a lot of things. There is not just one thing, that can hold up the marriage together. There are a lot of things. So many that I can use a keg instead of this glass. ha ha ha ha." - said uncle Earl, who by now, I was not sure, if it is the drink speaking or himself. For he is always in jolly mood. "Here is what I will tell you my son. Marriage is about love, it is about believing in your life partner, the more you believe in it, the more trust you earn, it is about respect for each other, having faith in one another. If I blindfold you, your partner should be able to guide you in your life. That's what I am talking about."

It was almost 2 of night, when Uncle Earl finally ended his speech. Or I would say, when the drink had finally got him. When you live in a small town, the time stops. Literally.... by sunset, everybody is back home and in an hour or two, the whole town is asleep.

The weekend got over and I bid my farewell to my parents and to my cousins who decided to stay for a couple of more days. While driving back to city. I noticed that Peter had left the sketch book in the seat and I saw the sketch of the super girl.

That reminded me about the last few lines uncle Earl said.

"Son, you or your partner does not need to have superpowers to run a healthy and successful married life. All you need is trust and love amongst you. There is no magic or secret formula, blah.. its just you and her. Two souls who discover goodness among each other and give strength to each other for fighting out bad things in life. That's marriage."