The man might be the head of the house, but the woman is the neck

Recently I was chatting with a group of moms, and I was surprised when one of them announced:  “I figured out how to manipulate my husband from the very beginning.”  Spouse manipulation is a touchy subject.  I didn’t want to admit to myself, let alone advertise to a crowd of my peers, that I was gifted and talented in the area of spouse manipulation.  But in the ice rink we call marriage, I have to admit that I’ve pulled off a few triple axels of manipulation in my time.

One of my favorite movie quotes of all time is from My Big Fat Greek Wedding: “The man might be the head of the house, but the woman is the neck, and she can turn the head any way she wants!”  I have to admit, it’s kind of fun being the neck.

I remember when my husband once told me, “I’m psychic. I think there’s something you’re hiding from me, and you won’t tell me about it till it’s too late.”  It was true.  My mind flashed.  I bit my lip and looked away.  How could he know this?  Because he knew me!  Yes, I had gotten us tickets to see Cher in Vegas, and I hadn’t told him yet.  Soon I’d have him wishing he could turn back time, to the moment when he didn’t yet know he was going to a Cher concert.  “But you’ve got me, babe!” I’d reassure him, as if this were some kind of consolation prize that would make that upcoming all-you-can-eat buffet of diva more palatable. 

Even as I write, I admit I’m plotting how I’m going to get my husband to do that next thing he doesn’t want to do.  Please don’t tell him.