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Handyman Matt

It’s no great mystery that I think Matt is a super-duper great guy. I think I’ve made it abundantly (and no doubt) annoyingly clear that I really, deeply admire him. It seems time will go by and we’re doing well – life is good and things are steady. And suddenly something happens to really grab my attention again and remind me of why it is that I just love, love, love him.

Spring is upon us and we are all busy bustling about in our yards, garages, and homes. Kids are outside playing, motorcycles are zipping up and down the street, and lawnmowers are roaring to life signaling the official commencement of this most beloved time of year. Last week we could almost see our lawn grow. Each day we’d comment about how tall it had gotten and how soon I’d have to be out there with our own lawnmower (oh that wonderful piece of machinery which I love almost as much as our snow blower). Matt mentioned to me that we should have the oil changed and the blade sharpened in the lawnmower. I would mumble ‘uh –huh’ in that way I do when I just don’t want to deal with something. But as the grass continued to grow and the day of reckoning crept closer, Matt didn’t let me forget that the lawnmower really SHOULD be serviced. Not wanting to deal with the who/when/where/$$ of having this done, I asked if he thought we could do it ourselves (ie Matt tell me what to do and I do it). He thought we could, but the next day he asked me to get the oil out before I went to work…just in case he wanted to give it a try on his own.

Later that day I pulled up the driveway and there he was out in the garage next to the lawnmower. Assuming he was just waiting for me, I asked if he was just getting started… nope…he was done. He had done all the work…HIMSELF. Alone. And not a speck of oil on the garage floor anywhere…no mess…no issues…no problem. He’d done it all. Now, Matt doesn’t like to make a fuss. He doesn’t like a ton of praise and ‘way to goes’…he’s just never been that type of guy. But how could I let this moment pass without one? I just squeezed his shoulder, looked at him square in the face and told him how awesome I thought that was…and in all seriousness, he should be proud. He seemed to take my praise to heart and I do believe he FELT awesome about having done it. I think perhaps he’s realizing it’s ok to feel like he accomplished something when he tries something new like that. Of course it’s not the same as it was…but that doesn’t change the fact that he sat out there and got it done…and there are a good number of fully able bodied husbands out there who don’t come NEAR their own lawnmower’s servicing needs. It was just one of those handy-husband things that he used to do…and he took it upon himself to give it a try again. Holy buckets…it made me proud. And when I fired up the beast and pushed her oh-so-lovingly through the grass on Sunday, I couldn’t help but smile knowing she was in tip-tip shape, thanks to Matt.

Comments

Emily said…
You guys remind us that the beauty of life is in every "little" thing.
mikeoramy said…
That is really cool, Matt. I hope you continue to be "risky" like that. Is that a recent picture of the both of you, because you both look GREAT.Blessings to you. Amy Johnson
Matt and Emily said…
The little things really DO matter, that's true!!
Yep - that was me and Matt a few weeks ago out for dinner with my sister and her husband.

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