I like spicy oppositional relationships. I religously watched the television series Moonlighting, and gleefully watched Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard passionately go at it. I like movies that feature spunky couples that don't always see eye to eye, like Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, or Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. Same in the book department; I think your chick card gets revoked if you don't have some affinity for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. So I suppose it's not really all that suprising that I like a little oppositional spice in my relationships as well.

I'm surrounded by people who don't always share my political viewpoints, but then again I don't much care for echo chambers and I relish a good debate, argument, impassioned discussion-whatever! It makes me raise my game. My own little version of the Sex and the City quartet of childood best friends, are just as different, yet fiercely loyal as their fictional counterparts. Growing up, we all belonged to different faiths and we rotated around to experience the rituals of our families and communities. One friend can't deny that doctrinally the other three of us are "going to hell," but that doesn't stop her from fiercely loving us and, in her case, gently making the case for her point of view. We first and foremost have mutual respect, and then we respectfully disagree.

Which brings me to my marriage. We are opposites in many ways, yet share some core beliefs and principles that bind us even in our spirited and frequent disagreements over issues large and small from how to properly load the dishwasher, who's turn it is to change a poopy diaper, and yes, even to who to vote for for president. Those who feel the debates have been boring, should come on over and get a ringside seat for presidential political debate Branch style. It involves lots of debate, a fair amount of stomping and sighing, followed by frenzied email forwarding of opposing supporting documentation to support our viewpoints. No food has flown, yet, but let's just say we don't watch the debates in the same room, and it's best if we don't watch the news with any sharp implements handy. We "vigourously" debate our positions, and proudly march ourselves into the voting booth to make our opinion known.

Then, we go home together...and that's all I'm going to say about that.

When I met him 18 years ago, he didn't vote. I figure if I'm lucky I've got another good twenty to forty years to execute my battle of attrition.