Opposites Attract

Michelle:

I love watching Dancing with the Stars.

Chris:

I love watching Ghost Hunters and I hate that I know the pros, past and present, who have been on Dancing with the Stars.

Michelle:

One of the pros, Mark Ballas, sings with his wife when he is not performing or rehearsing for a Tuesday night show.

Chris:

One afternoon, Michelle sent me the song, Highs and Lows, by Alexander Jean (the band formed by Mark Ballas and his wife Brittney Jean). Michelle sent it with a text that read, “This is so us.”

Michelle:

I remember as a child, hearing that opposites attract and being confused by the concept. My parents were both quiet, serious, structured, routine, careful and cautious. It seemed to me their marriage worked so well because they were so alike.

Chris:

Everything that Michelle described about her parents could have been used to describe me when we first met. And…they could NEVER be used to describe Michelle. Even as a child, her parents said that she was loud, reckless, carefree, never made (or stuck to) plans, laughed a lot and changed things up just because.

Michelle:

While opposites attract in our case, life with your exact opposite can be, well, challenging. The refrain of the song could not be more true, “I’m gonna love you, even when you don’t. I’ll love you from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.”

Chris:

Sometimes, I think that the things that drew me to Michelle are the things that I judged I lacked. I like structure, plans and well thought out decisions. When Michelle wants to drop everything and go on a “fun adventure” my mind begins to race. Where are we going? How long will it take to get there? How much will it cost?

Michelle:

A “fun adventure” to me means jumping in the car and going where the spirit takes us. When Chris starts asking questions and making plans, I feel my enthusiasm begin to dwindle.

Chris:

We had to learn, the decision to love is a daily one. I am not going to suddenly change who I am and neither will Michelle. I also must remember that the things that intrigued me about her WILL and often DO drive me crazy.

Michelle:

So, what do polar opposites do to make it work? We compromise, compromise and we compromise some more. We can now jump in the car for an adventure IF I have my phone ready to map a destination and if I agree to Google before we get there to find out, if wherever we are going accepts cash, card or Apple Pay.

Chris:

Chris: We also rub off on each other. While I am still careful and cautious, I can plan things as a surprise that will seem spontaneous and fun for Michelle. My serious streak is now reserved for work, sports and playing golf. Michelle’s playful energy and approach to life have just been way more fun!

Michelle: I heard a quote about opposites attracting that I think sums this up. “Opposites are not contradictory but complementary. Put light against light or dark against dark and you have nothing. It is the contrast of light and dark that give each other one meaning.” Author Unknown.