By JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist

“Love and Marriage go together like a horse and carriage…”

Frank Sinatra’s voice is ringing in my ear as today is my 21st wedding anniversary.

Since In The Bubble launched earlier this year, I have affectionately called my husband ‘my Ken doll.’ He always introduces himself like this: “Hi, I’m Jodi’s husband.” But this dear man puts up with a lot and today instead of sharing something my silly Ken doll has done this week; let me take a moment to share with you why I married a saint. Hmm, that may not be the right word. Good man? He does put up with me.

My mother cautioned him. “Life will be interesting. She will bring home stray animals and interesting people. Just warning you,” she said. A day or two later while driving home from the beach, I found our first dog.

Then a few years later there was the cat outside Sears, of all places. It wasn’t a pretty picture, me chasing down the mall cop begging him to please not call animal control. “We will give it a good home!” I cried.

Note the ‘we.’ And in my opinion, the animals find me, not the other way around.

As my Ken doll has come to realize, I’m not a person of one ‘clique.’ That for me would be so boring. From conversations at the grocery store to the hardware store, a simple quick trip can turn into a new best friend.

My sweet Ken doll has asked on several occasions “Do you have to know EVERYONE?”

While sitting recently with some girlfriends at Starbucks, one said, “Jodi, you are just real. That’s what I like about you.”

Thinking it was sweet, I told Ken. “Yes, sometimes too real dear,” was his reply.

Once on our way to the airport for a business trip, he turned to me and said simply: “Please don’t talk to anyone. I hate those ‘kind’ of travelers.”

As somebody who travels regularly, the ‘talkers’ get on his nerves.

I tried my best. But the nice man in the security line had a cold; I just had to comment on my hopes that he would feel better soon.

“Ma’am, you’re not supposed to talk to me. I’m Homeland Security,” he whispered.

Ken doll simply glared.

Country singer Lynn Anderson’s 1970s hit 'I Never Promised you a Rose Garden” also comes to mind today.

The rose garden that’s marriage can become prickly, especially as my Irish/German roots some days get the best of me. Sometimes I change my mind or can’t make up my mind and expect certain loved ones to keep up with the program. With four children added to the mix, no wonder poor Ken often finds himself out numbered and exhausted.

Here is the thing and the point of today’s column: life is not perfect and people are not perfect. When I look back at the life we have built over 21 years it has been like a greeting card I saw at Brentwood Stationers recently. It had a photo of a roller coaster and the words “Buckle up ’cause it’s going to be a wild ride.” I think the old movie Parenthood had a line making an analogy to this too.

While the ride has been bumpy, with twists and turns along the way, our commitment and love for God, each other and our families had always been at the foundation of the life we have built.

So here’s to you Ken doll -- and since we both love Frank Sinatra, the song I dedicate to the next chapter in our life is “The Best is yet to come…”