George’s patio

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My wife Marie and I lived in Montgomery, Alabama before we moved to Georgia 20 years ago. We were still in the honeymoon years of our 27 (so far) year love for each other. Early in our marriage in Montgomery (like most couples’ marriages of any length) our ideas, our relationships, and our wills often collided and differed widely.

We had a couple we both knew and loved in Montgomery for years before we married.

George and I were dear friends. So was Marie with George’s wife. We trusted each other and could share intimate personal stuff with each other and be vulnerable with each other without being judgmental

We spent hours and hours sharing our victories as well as our struggles on his patio in his back yard. Marie knew this. When we had a tiff or were headed for a major disagreement she would look at me and say “I think it would be a good idea if you spent some time with George on his patio.

It was magical. I’d call him and tell him I needed some patio time. We’d meet and hash out my dilemma no matter how long it took.

Talking with George on his patio, no matter the weather, always helped me understand what I needed to do or say to do my part to help Marie and I resolve the issue at hand. More times than I care to admit the issue would get resolved if I stopped acting like a jerk.

Every guy needs a George.

And a patio.