The twelve days of marriage

December 11, 2010

My new husband spent a few nights on the couch our first week of marriage.  But not because we couldn’t resolve an argument. 

I tested the “in sickness” part of our vows, spending our first week of wedded bliss in a decongestant-induced haze of snoring wonderment.  My new husband got a crash course in caring for a sick, crabby wife and an attention-starved four-year-old accustomed to a busy, active mama.

The holiday season and my husband’s devotion inspired me to put the experience to music:

On the first day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… An extra dose of vitamin C.

On the second day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the third day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the fourth day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the fifth day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the sixth day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the seventh day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Seven couch a-sleepings, six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the eighth day of Marraige, my true love gave to me… Eight tissue boxes, seven couch a-sleepings, six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the ninth day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Nine goofy dances, eight tissue boxes, seven couch a-sleepings, six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the tenth day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Ten words of cheering, nine goofy dances, eight tissue boxes, seven couch a-sleepings, six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

On the eleventh day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Eleven piping dinners, ten words of cheering, nine goofy dances, eight tissue boxes, seven couch a-sleepings, six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C. 

On the twelfth day of Marriage, my true love gave to me… Twelve happy kisses, eleven piping dinners, ten words of cheering, nine goofy dances, eight tissue boxes, seven couch a-sleepings, six chicken noodles, five I love yous, four shots of Nyquil, three back rubs, two patient hugs, and an extra dose of vitamin C.

This article first appeared in the Lewistown News-Argus and the Sidney (Mont.) Herald on December 11, 2010.