Same Thing, Different Year

5,4,3,2,1 – Happy New Years. It’s a time of joy for many, and don’t get me wrong, I’m usually more than a few glasses deep in some fine Rose in an idyllic location with friends around. But something strange happens when the sound of noisemakers dissipate and I start to feel lonely. After giving Rachel a kiss and wishing her a Happy New Years I look into her eyes and notice a change. She goes from relaxed, rested, “vacation” Rachel to stressed, anxiety-ridden “work” Rachel with her mind in a distant place dreaming of dresses. It all happens so fast and I realize that I’m all alone.

This year was no different, and in many ways even worse. The recession has hit designers hard, and they’ve made cutbacks in all areas, including making samples and sending staff and teams of tailors and assistants in the hopes of securing that “money shot” of an A-list starlet at the Golden Globes in one of their creations. Team Zoe was definitely feeling the heat this year with fewer options and more women to dress; it was bound to lead to chaos.

For Rachel and her team, second best, just okay or “it will work” is never an option. They’re looking for that “I DIE” moment, the “can’t breathe” sensation and generally need to “shut it down." As most married men can attest, a happy wife is a happy man, a stressed wife is a ... you know where I’m going with this.

So, as usual, my role shifted from loving and supportive husband to patient and supportive therapist. Luckily I’ve had a lot of experience and hold an advanced degree J I have the utmost confidence in Team Zoe and their ability to pull it together so their clients land on the “best dressed lists”. And this year was no different.

For Rachel the feeling of accomplishment at the end makes the tension, drama and outright hysterics worth it. For me, I’m not so sure. But in marriage you need to take the good with the bad and I delude myself into thinking that maybe next year will be different.