How Trump Enriched Our Marriage

Both Jewish, both children of Eastern European immigrants escaping pogroms, both adoring grandparents, our bodies immediately went on the alert. We’ve always enjoyed reading the Forward; now we devour the front pages and commentaries, pointing each other to particular paragraphs in particular articles. We study newspapers and news magazines. We stay informed through the day and keep each other up to date. We settle in front of PBS for the evening news together. We watch Rachel Maddow nightly, relieved that good folks have the courage to investigate and speak up. We talk, talk, talk.   

We discuss the Trump budget much more than our own. We follow the money and try to connect the dots between Trump’s money and Russian ties. We cheered together when Ryan pulled the non-health care bill. We walk more and drive only one car to do our part in slowing emission gases. When we plan to share a meal with Republicans, we strategize about subjects to avoid and subjects to discuss (the weather, the children). We keep each other on topic. We are a team.

Trump’s presidency has had many unintended consequences, certainly provoking women to voice their thoughts and feelings. For this and more, I’m grateful. On our anniversary, I plan to send the President a thank you note for a more personal unintended consequence: enriching our marriage.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Lilith Magazine.