Do you know the joke where the long-married wife asks her husband “Honey, do you love me?” and he answers her “Of course I do! I told you I did when I married ya and if it ever changes I’ll let you know.” This is the kind of stability you want in a marriage. I’m not saying the above communication is *ideal* but, that kind of steadiness, heck yeah. I am fortunate enough to hear the “I love yous” at least daily but, that “it ain’t changing” kind of unquestionable commitment is what I appreciate more than anything. It’s like a good habit, but more than a habit… more like a good compulsion. A compulsion is an irresistable urge to act in a certain way. If you know someone who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder they may have seemingly odd routines they must carry out. Maybe it’s touching a door knob a specific number of times or a certain number of swipes (37 for my friend Amy) when putting on deodorant. It can be any of a wide-range of behaviors which may be good, bad or benign. I say my husband has the “good kind of OCD”. He has created behavior patterns that are health-promoting and security based. So, I know when we are leaving to go out of town for a bit, to just go sit in the truck and let him make his rounds. He’s going to check the doors, the windows and the thermostat. All the lights will be off and no big appliances will be running. I know this because he’s going to check on things. All the things. It’s going to take a few extra minutes but… I don’t have to worry that we will have left with the A/C on “snow” or that the venting window in the bathroom will be open while we are away. See, the GOOD KIND of OCD. He’s the kind of man that actually likes eating the same meals. I’m not even talking about meatloaf on Monday, pot roast on Tuesday kind of regularity. I’m talking about “the same breakfast, snack and lunch” almost daily. It’s what we have worked out that works well for us. So, a little over 10 years ago he decided to run a mile. Every day. And, he has.

He started on his 44th birthday and has continued to run at least one mile every day since. After doing this for one year, you are allowed to register as a “Streak Runner” with an international group. They keep an active list of runners and they are categorized by how many years each person has been going. Ten years of streaking earns the designation of “experienced”. It’s amazing! I know it’s amazing because I have witnessed this man do it for all that time. Most of his miles are solo. Occasionally, he is joined by me or other friends.

One year we dressed up as Running Forrest and Party Jenny for Halloween. We were out late at a friend’s house and since it was after midnight I jokingly suggested he run home and not have to get up and run the next day – since it already was the next day. Oh, he did and, in costume!

Some days are nice for running and some are just shy of abysmal. He has run through the flu a couple of times. He has run in wind, rain, sleet, snow and ice so slippery he had to use metal cleets.

He has run on pretty days, wet days, dust storm days and has fallen at least once that he admitted to (but ONLY because I saw the rip in his running tights and asked!) Several years ago when his dad was in the hospital, he ran a snowy 5K in a hospital parking garage. Old high school friends visiting their own sick parent saw him and waved him down and they shared a *moment”. (Shout out to Brad and Lea Ann G.) He has run through the loss of both of his parents. He ran through COVID. He has run through grief, joy, angst and heartbreak. I venture to guess he has run through slight aggravation with me! On travel days when you have to be at the airport stupid early, he gets up even earlier and runs his mile. When we schedule a trip, he maps out a neighborhood park, route or trail as part of his prep. On longer running days, he will often run a 5k. 5K distances equal donuts! Donuts are a rare, but cherished reward for all the miles. Whatever activities are going on, he gets up early and comes in from his run ready to participate. If we stay up late and everyone sleeps in, he’s gone running when we are just rousing. It’s this kind of attention to detail or “good OCD” that allows him to continue his streak. Our friends ask if his streak is still “alive” and, athough he answers YES, it’s hard to wrap your brain around. Because then, they say “well, what about when you’re sick?” He still runs. It’s the first thing he does in his day, every damn day. And, every step run has been outside in the elements. We ain’t talking treadmills, here! Sometimes, this leads to awesome views.

Several years ago a news reporter contacted him about his streak and did a little story on him. The link has disappeared but I remember how comfortable he was on camera and being so proud of him for letting our family, friends and the viewing audience see this side of him. See… the thing is, he’s a private kind of guy. He doesn’t want a lot of attention. His streak is “his thing”. At his 5 year “streak-aversary” a friend said to me “You gotta do something!” I agreed and I snuck around and did something. It is helpful to mention here that this guy nearly always goes to bed after I do. He gets up at least an hour before me. We work together. I don’t have much “sneaky” time. But, I paid cash for my decorations on a solo visit to see my parents in another state (so no credit card or Amazon action to see!) I got up in wee hours of the morning and hung streamers and banners and decorated the house for him to wake up to. Who knew those banners were NOT pre-strung?? Not me. So, it took a couple of hours and I had to climb on cabinets and barstools but it was there when he walked out of our bedroom the next morning.

That same day we had a CrossFit event with a bunch of friends and I had secretly invited a bunch of people to stop by our home for a slice of pizza or a cupcake in celebration of his 49th birthday and 5 years of his streak. It was great. He appreciated the love and so here we are another 5 years down and it’s his 10 year streakaversary. He is still doing it! He has just made it a part of his good OCD routine and his life. Kind of like he has made me part of his routine and his life. I love this man and his compulsion to stick to his commitments and honor his promises to himself, me and our marriage.