PDA ( Public Display of Affection)

Chuck and I have a running joke about PDA. Whenever we would be out in public and see a couple being affectionate with each other, we would always say, "They must not be married yet." Usually it was a couple holding hands, or maybe sitting next to each other on the same side of a booth at a restaurant when it was just the two of them out to dinner. Sad as that sounds, it seems to be true more often than not. Case in point: a few weeks ago I was at a seminar for parents and teens. There were about 80 people there, and I happened to notice a couple sitting a few rows in front of me. They were in their mid-forties I would say, and the man had his arm around the woman's shoulders for awhile. Then later, he was fingering a piece of her hair in a loving way. I thought to myself, "Hmm, must be a second marriage, or they are just dating." Sure enough, before the program was over, the man asked the presenter a question and referred to himself as his wife's second husband and step father to her children. I knew it!!!

Before Chuck and I got married, we would tell each other that we would always be that way...able to show each other affection, in public or not, because we enjoy each other's company. It's sad to think that once people are married for awhile, things become ho hum, and they aren't as demonstrative. I know there are some couples who are very committed to each other, and show affection throughout their long marriages, but unfortunately I think they are in the minority. I think people that aren't married yet, or are in second marriages, have more of an appreciation for what they have, and therefore are happy to show it. PDA still runs rampant in our relationship...no, not in an over the top way, but we do hold hands, and I like the freedom of being able to lean over and kiss his cheek if we are somewhere that makes me feel like I just need to let him know I love him. Life's too short in my mind not to take the opportunity to show love to our spouse when the feeling arises.

And besides, it's a proven fact that holding hands with the one you love lowers blood pressure, and reducing stress. As the mother of 2 teenagers and 1 young adult, I need all the help with lowering my blood pressure and reducing stress that I can get!