My husband is convinced that I’m part witch. I know things. For example, I know when he’s been sneaking the whites into a load of darks. Or, that he’s been using a dining room chair as a ladder. Or, that he was resting his head on the expensive down-filled throw pillows. I have no intention of disabusing him of his notion. Perhaps one of these days he’ll figure out that dingy white socks are a dead giveaway. Or, that it would be clever to put the dining room chair back in the same carpet imprint. Or, that the dirty spot from his hair is like a neon arrow. Until then, it’s in my best interest to let him continue to think I’m part witch.

This morning I went to put my socks on and noticed that the whites were dingy again. I was knee-jerk annoyed and ready to read him the riot act. Then I remembered that he had done the laundry, not because he loves to do laundry, but because he wants to do his part. Okay, so he just can’t seem to get it that the darks and the lights should be washed separately. But, so what? What he does get is that he earns points, or what we call Frequent Foreplay Miles™, when he does nice things. Next time, I’ll do the laundry and toss in a little bleach. Until then, I can live with dingy socks.

If we’re not careful, little daily irritations can overshadow the more important aspects of a relationship. My husband Dale is, hands down, no holds barred, the most supportive guy on the planet. In an emotional crunch, he’s always there for me. And I do the same for him. Fact is, those occasions are, thankfully, rare. And it’s because they’re rare, that the dumb stuff, which happens daily, is what is so often in the forefront of our minds.

Dingy socks. Dirty dishes left in the sink. Wadded up tissue tossed on the car’s floorboard. A window left open. A bill paid late. Forgetting an errand. The nail clipper that’s borrowed but not returned. The ways in which our sweetheart can annoy us is endless . . . if we let it. And, then, we forget to be grateful for all the ways in which our sweetheart is wonderful.

So, instead of ragging at Dale for the dingy socks, I gave him a kiss, thanked him for doing the laundry, and gave him some Frequent Foreplay Miles.

For more information on Frequent Foreplay Miles, visit www.FrequentForeplayMiles.com.