Author: john.mitchell

I’ve looked at my wife and thought, you’re the size of my life, and somehow meant it as an insult. She’s a good woman with a small world—the town, her …

I’ve Looked at My Wife and Thought, “You’re the Size of My Life”—and Meant It as an Insult Read More

I’ve blamed my wife, silently, for every single thing I didn’t do with my life. The music, the move to Oregon, the business I talked about starting in 1997 and …

I’ve Blamed My Wife, Silently, for Every Single Thing I Didn’t Do With My Life Read More

I’ve known for thirty years that I’d have been happier alone, and I’ve never had the nerve to find out. Not with another woman. Alone. A small place, a routine, …

I’ve Known for Thirty Years That I’d Have Been Happier Alone—and I’ve Never Had the Nerve to Find Out Read More

I’ve been in love with the idea of being loved by somebody else, and I’ve called that being unhappy in my marriage. That’s the honest version, and it took me …

I’ve Been in Love With the Idea of Being Loved by Someone Else Read More

I’ve looked at my wife asleep and felt nothing but the arithmetic of how many years are left. Not hatred. Not even boredom. Arithmetic. She’s fifty-nine, I’m sixty-two, and I’ve …

I’ve Looked at My Wife Asleep and Felt Nothing but the Arithmetic of How Many Years Are Left Read More

I’ve been kind to my wife every day for twenty-seven years, and I have never once been warm. There’s a difference, and it took me twenty of those years to …

I’ve Been Kind to My Wife Every Day for Twenty-Seven Years—and I’ve Never Once Been Warm Read More

I’ve kept a list in my head of what my life would have looked like if I’d married someone else, and I update it. Not one imaginary woman, but specific …

I’ve Kept a List in My Head of What I’d Have If I’d Married Someone Else Read More

I’ve thought about leaving on the first warm day of every year since 2006. It’s seasonal, which is what makes it ridiculous and also what makes it true. Something about …

I’ve Thought About Leaving on the First Warm Day of Every Year Since 2006 Read More

I know the exact day I stopped loving my wife, and it was the day our son was born. That’s the thing I’ve never said out loud in twenty-four years. …

I Know the Exact Day I Stopped Loving My Wife—It Was the Day Our Son Was Born Read More

I’ve never told my wife she’s beautiful and meant it, and I’ve said it about four hundred times. I say it the way you say “drive safe” — automatically, gently, …

I’ve Never Told My Wife She’s Beautiful and Meant It—And I’ve Said It Four Hundred Times Read More