An ode to my husband’s sweatpants

[Editor’s note: This story is a letter from a woman to her husband. While this is one example of one type of relationship, we understand, appreciate and celebrate that relationships come in all forms and configurations.]

At the end of a long, tiring, sometimes frustrating, sometimes impossible day—just the mere thought of you makes me feel better immediately.

Because I can’t wait to see you and feel your soft touch brush against my leg.

You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And I often find myself thinking about you…thoughts like…

Thank God I stole these sweatpants from my husband because really—what would my life be without them?

To be honest—I couldn’t live without you.

So, to my cherished, hideous sweatpants that used to be my husband’s but now are mine and he better never take them back if he knows what’s good for him:

Thank you.

Thank you…for the comfort you’ve brought me over the past 10 years. Even with the drafty holes, you still are the most comfortable piece of clothing in my wardrobe.

Thank you…to the elastic at the bottom that is just barely hanging on by a thread. Hey—so am I—so that reminds me that we’re both in this together. ?

Thank you…for “growing with me” during each of my three pregnancies. Seriously—is there a better type of friend out there? That is REAL love.

Thank you…to the drawstring that is magically still there after all this time and didn’t get eaten by the washer or dryer or pulled out completely by one of our children. Even though you droop significantly when I put my cell phone in the pocket because you’re not that strong, you still support me and I am grateful. ?

Thank you…for keeping me humble. Your stains are pretty gross and they should embarrass me. But they don’t because here we are—keeping it real together, day in and day out.

I’ve worn you outside in our front yard to grab the mail or take out the trash, and just the other day I wore you over to my sister’s house because she had an emergency and I needed to be there ASAP. There were about 15 people in her house when I got there and little to their surprise, they got to see me in my favorite item of clothing—you. How lucky they were, amirite?!

Thank you…for reminding me of our college days—and that I was once A LOT of fun. (I kind of still am but in a more “sureeee, you can watch one more episode of Daniel Tiger” way.)

You once were my husband’s college football sweatpants—that he cherished back in the day. Now, he isn’t allowed to touch them (and he knows that), and you are still cherished—probably even more so by me. ?♀️

Thank you…for being so wide and so flowy that you could basically fit one of my toddlers into one leg and the other one into the other leg while both of my legs are also in you. You are basically a blanket that I can wear on my legs at all times—and that makes me even happier than not being the one who has to go to the grocery store on a Sunday afternoon.

Thank you…for always being there for me—during the highs and lows of this life of mine. When I am happy, I want to slip you on. When I feel sad, you are the refuge I seek. ?

Thank you…for never judging me. I may only wash you once in a blue moon, but that’s just because I can’t bare the thought of being without you and if I throw you downstairs to be washed WHO KNOWS WHEN YOU’LL ACTUALLY BE WASHED. You could be gone for weeks. It’s just best you stay with me.

Thank you…for being loyal to me. I know my husband is jealous that he doesn’t get to wear you anymore, but let’s be honest—I had two (soon to be three) children of his. You are now rightfully mine and I know you totally agree—I can tell.

Every day I wonder—when will dirty, old, grungy, stained, holey sweatpants be the new mom-yoga-pant trend? (I am hoping very soon.?)

You may not be glamorous or chic—but you are the yin to my yang, the peanut butter to my jelly—the bees knees.

So here’s my promise to you.

I promise to never be ashamed or embarrassed by you. I promise to never make you feel less than (those lululemon pants in my draw can be so snooty!). I promise to keep you alive for as long as I can.

Thank you for your service. It has not gone unnoticed. ?