An ode to Mr. Tangerine

I love that Mr. Tangerine (who celebrated his birthday yesterday). Here are a few reasons why:

• Like the most recent commenter on my phobias post, Mr. Tangerine has an abiding distrust of all things avian. Birds' resemblance to the raptors in Jurassic Park is unforgivable in his book. He's never seemed to share my fear and loathing of centipedes, but last night, after I mentioned that I'd seen (and avoided clicking on) a link to a clip of some centipede attacking an animal, he (1) Googled up the link for himself, (2) didn't try to make me see what was on his laptop screen, (3) exclaimed, "Oh my god! Oh my god! No fucking way!" (etc.), and (4) now believes that centipedes are among the vilest and cruelest creatures on this earth. Probably you don't want to search for that clip yourselves. Mr. Tangerine has taken one for the team, and confirms my fear and loathing of those hundred-legged bastards are well-founded.

• Wow, is he ever a good dad. And a good husband. In combination—I am ready for a break from parenting duties when evenings and weekends arrive, and Mr. Tangerine is terrific at simultaneously cutting me a break and nurturing his son. Ben has always turned to both parents equally when in need of comforting, and you can't get a better endorsement than that. And why was the weekend getaway described in the previous post so unnecessary for me? Because my husband facilitates my having more weekends of "me" time than any other parent I know. I never worry that my child isn't being well tended while I'm away.

• He's been doing all our travel planning for our trip to England in May. And doing a nice job of it, too, I must say. Most thorough.

• He's not Mr. Patriarchical. Yeah, I do more of the dishes and laundry, but I'm home freelancing part time while he's at the office full time. He's never had any expectation that I'll do the traditional wifely thing and cook dinner on a regular basis. Also? He's deliciously non-homophobic and non-racist.

• Those things people quote as the main reasons for divorce? Do not apply. We've always been in sync on all the hot buttons: financial matters, family issues, religion or the lack thereof, and general lifestyle issues (we both like the city, nobody's hankering to go out dancing, we like a lot of the same sorts of movies, etc.). We started out head-over-heels in love with each other (there is no better reason to get married or embark on a committed relationship, is there?), but as life partners, we're also compatible in all the important ways. Which is not to say we don't argue, but when we do, it's not about these giant practical matters that prompt divorces. Occasionally I remind him that he is stuck with me for the duration.

• He's handsome and super-smart.

• He brought thick-hair genes to the relationship so I could have a kid with good hair.

• He single-handedly installed and set up an HD plasma TV. Some sources say only a small percentage of consumers could do the same. He also is handy with things like the household wireless network.

• Although he and I prefer different mirror and heat/AC settings in the car, we keep the driver's seat in the same position. See? Compatible!

• I can tell him anything and everything. He might even listen if he's not watching sports at the moment.

• My oldest friends (meaning the ones I've known since high school) like him.

• When Ben first came home from the hospital after doing hard time in the NICU, he tended to spit up a lot at night. His daddy not only got up with me for all those middle-of-the-night feedings (even though he had to work in the morning), but he also started sleeping in Ben's room—with Ben on his chest. I've heard about new fathers complaining that their wives had abandoned them in favor of the baby—in our house, we had Super-Daddy. Given how difficult that period of my life was (postpartum depression or merely situational depression over the things that sucked?), he wins the Oscar for Best Husband and Father in a Leading Role.