Is the saying true?

Do opposites really attract? Well, in the case of our marriage, I believe this to be true ... to a certain extent. If anyone knows me semi-well at all, you'll know that I tend to be a type-A personality. If you knew me during any of my school years, then you'll for sure know I'm an A-type personality. If an assignment is due on Friday, I will have it done by Wednesday, just in case. Maybe even Monday if I have some social plans to attend to that week. I'm also anal about writing everything down on my calendar, to make sure I don't forget and can get it done in adequate time. I'm all about efficiency, trying to get as many things done in as little time as possible. I'm a list maker, often micro-managing my days to squeeze in as much work/play as possible. I feel comfortable in this zone, I succeed in this way and feel like I function at my best using this approach.

Grayson, on the other hand, not so much. I know the Lord knew what he was doing when He brought us together, but sometimes I can't help but laugh at how different we really are and stand amazed that this actually works. Here's the story ... his work has this report that has to be completed quarterly. Grayson inherited this duty when he started work four years ago so it's not really a new task. At the start of our marriage, I remember being very nervous about this report as it seemed to be a big deal that would take tons of G's time & mental energy. I've come to know differently, but at the beginning I, being the anal-retentive, calendar using wife that I am, wrote down when this report was due which month so I could help Grayson. It seemed pretty easy to me: you have the same type report due every four months therefore it should be fairly easy to accomplish in a timely manner, right? Wrong. In four years Grayson has had to do 16 of these reports and I can distinctly remember him coming home between 2am and 4am on the very last night it was due at least five times. That's a third of the time and last night was one of them.

Granted, we have been super busy lately with vacation, fun weddings, hosting fabulous guests etc ... so he's not been able to work on this report like normal. It just baffles me at how different we are when approaching deadlines. Supposedly, this is the norm for him. I didn't really know him in college, but he has told me that his general approach to most tests were to wait until the day before to begin studying and then go into "lock-down mode" the day before and study hard-core for a few hours and then be done. He thrives in this environment; he is able to stay cool, calm and collected. He has the ability to power through and get his work done well. I on the other hand, would be a huge mess of a ball on the floor covered in tears if I waited until the last minute to finish anything. I just don't handle that sort of pressure well, but my husband seems to highly enjoy it.

This is where marriage gets tricky b/c while I don't technically have to finish the report, I do have to lay in bed wondering when my significant other will be coming home. Let's just say that I did visit Starbucks this morning b/c I know I'm going to feel a little tired today. There's just something unsettling about knowing your spouse is away working, will be driving home late when he's tired that doens't let you rest well. I am proud of myself for growing though. Now, instead of putting the months when this report is due on my calendar to help Grayson, it's more of a reminder that probably 2-3 nights that month I need to find something productive to do with my evenings as I know that my husband will more than likely not be home until late. Grayson is teaching me how to relax, go with the flow and not freak out when things aren't done four days in advance. Once again, I'm amazed at how God uses marriage to sharpen and challenge me to become a better, more balanced individual.

But let's be honest, we all know I'm still going to carry a calendar and plan my days in detail. Some things are just meant to be.