Jake gave his wife Lisa a routine called “Lisa’s Weekly Routine for Becoming a Better Wife.” This was an outrageous act of marital arrogance. What the heck! Lisa was about to teach Jake a lesson he would never forget.
Jake’s list, which was based on Steve’s, a self-proclaimed relationship expert, suggested a strict schedule of housework, fancy cooking, and hard exercise. Lisa, the more sensible partner, agreed to play along, but she added a twist.
Lisa smiled and made a counter-list called “Jake’s Plan for Becoming the Best Husband Ever.” She carefully listed all the costs that would come up because of his requests, such as a personal trainer that costs $1,200 a month, organic food that costs $700, and a salary replacement that costs $75,000.
Jake’s smile went away as he looked over the list. Instead, he felt shocked and upset. Now it was their turn. Lisa’s clever response showed him how unrealistic his standards were, making Jake face the real cost of having a “perfect” wife.
What they talked about that night was a judgement. Lisa seemed cool, but her words showed that she was hurt. “Marriage isn’t about lists or routines; it’s about respect,” she stated. Jake was told he had done something wrong, but it was too late.
Jake was woken up by Lisa’s clever answer, which reminded him that a happy marriage needs mutual understanding, not unreasonable expectations. Their story shows how dangerous it can be to try to “fix” a partner and how important it is to talk to your partner in a relationship.
