Barefoot and, well, not pregnant

Barefoot in the Park is one of my favorite movies. I've always fancied the notion of being a newlywed housewife, setting up her home front, while enjoying the newness of love. Aww, corny, but true. Well, I'm not as young, or as newlywed as Corey (Jane Fonda), but here I am, preparing to be that housewife, setting up my home front in a new land, while enjoying the comfort of faithful and ever-growing love. However, I have not felt as carefree as Corey appears to be in the movie. I had no idea how difficult it would be to quit my job and come home. I'm not only referring to the emotional expense of leaving the boys - I knew that would bite beyond reason, but rather this guilt which has arisen because I will no longer be contributing to our bank account. Most of my friends have either never been the bread winner for their family, or if they are/were, they've quit their jobs to stay home with children. Well, I have no children. So, what can I offer an "empty" home? The stress of this very thought was getting the best of me. Thanks to Bradley {and a few other sweethearts}, I was reminded how important my job is at home, with or without children. Where I've been focusing on what I won't be contributing, they reminded me of what I will be giving to my family. {Soap box moment: Yes, Bradley and I are a family. Whenever people ask if we've started a family, I say "yes, when we said 'I do'." Children do not make a family, they are wonderful additions to an existing family. I don't believe a couple stops being a family b/c all of their children have started their own families, but rather, I believe in the family God created when He united Adam and Eve. As you cannot read the tone of my voice, please know that I say this with gentility, not sass. Okay, I'm done.} Bradley shared that his desire for me to be home is selfish, in a sense, because he doesn't want to have to figure out if he has enough socks or milk for the week. He loves coming home to dinner on the table and a less stressed wife. He cannot wait for me to be able to fully commit myself to my business {Flirting with Fonts --> my graphic design company}, and our home. Honestly, even though I know Bradley's a great guy, I was a little surprised to hear him say all of this. Since I enjoy being unique, I'm always shocked whenever my inner, unknowingly, engrained American-culture shows up in my views.  I've always been a huge advocate for the significance of women staying home, and here I am being the hypocrite. Good ole Miss Liberty snuck her ugly head in, and somehow implanted this perception that my worth will be less once I leave the work force. That crowned stinker. Funny how we're supposedly free as Americans, and yet we still try to cage each other with socially accepted concepts. This week I'm working on fully embracing the role of a wife, and I'm kind of liking it... a lot. My husband is happier; I'm less stressed; more is being accomplished in my household and for my business; and somehow, amidst all of the Cambodia prep, I'm getting enough rest. Although I'm not sure how this is happening, God probably has a little something to do with it all {I've been tugging on His ear quite a bit lately}. Maybe the blessing of pregnancy will come someday, but tonight I thank God for giving me contentment in the state I am in... barefoot, and not pregnant.