I was speechless. It was so absurd that I couldn’t even be angry—at least not outwardly. Instead, I smiled and said, “You’re right, Jake. I’ll start tomorrow.”
The next day, I devised my own plan. If Jake wanted perfection, I’d show him what it would cost. I created “Jake’s Plan for Becoming the Best Husband Ever,” filled with costs for personal trainers, gourmet groceries, and even a man cave for when his friends came over. By the time I finished, it was an expensive, impractical mess—just like his expectations.
When Jake saw the list, his excitement quickly turned to panic. “$1,200 for a trainer? $75,000 to replace your salary?” he sputtered.
“That’s the price of perfection,” I replied, calmly crossing my arms.
It finally hit him how unrealistic his demands were. “I’m so sorry, Lisa,” he admitted. “I got carried away. Steve made it sound reasonable, but I see now how ridiculous it was.”
We tore up both lists that night, finally back on the same page. Jake learned that marriage isn’t about fixing your partner or setting impossible standards. It’s about working together, respecting each other, and building a life as equals.
In the end, the experience reminded us both that a strong marriage is based on love, respect, and teamwork—not perfection.