Cleaning the Microwave

One of the things that really bothered me about my husband early in our marriage was how differently he prioritized things than I do. The classic example I would always give of this was his cleaning of our microwave.

This was back in the days when we both worked outside the home. I was a criminal defense attorney and he worked as an auditor for a big accounting firm. We had a pretty small one bedroom apartment and no kids but somehow even then things did get dirty and we needed to do a big clean every week or so.

I remember so many times being in a hurry to get the place presentable for guests or whatever and Jonathan would be helping. There were dishes piled in the sink and cooking mess all over the kitchen and the kitchen table to be cleared off and wiped down and stuff put away in the family. You know -- obvious messes to clean. And what would my husband be doing? Cleaning the inside of the microwave. I mean, yes, it was dirty but is of our company really going to look in there when they come over in 15 minutes? This really used to frustrate me.

So for weeks now Jon has been saying, "we really need to clean out the inside of the microwave." And I have been replying, "I know. I know!" I am not sure when we cleaned it last but it was needing it badly and it was about the very last job on my list that I wanted or felt pressed to do.

A couple of days ago I came in from playing with the kids outside and found my husband cleaning out the inside of the microwave. The kitchen wasn't spotless and the family room could have been cleaned up, but I couldn't have been happier to be married to a man who had "Clean Out Microwave" on his priority list. I can get around to wiping down the counters and picking up the baby toys off the family room floor. I can make the kids pick up their countless shoes that litter our floor. And I am so glad I do not have to be the one to clean out the inside of our microwave.

I love you Jonathan! Thank you!