Forever Young? Not Me.

Husband and I recently saw Heart in concert.

Later, as we were leaving, I asked him what he thought about the concert. He said, “That blonde, the who was playing guitar in front of us. . .”

Yes, I responded, Nancy Wilson.

Husband says, she’s had some work done.

I thought this was hilarious. We were four rows back, listening to all that great 1970s rock, live, hearing arguably the best voice in female rock, Ann Wilson, accompanied by her guitar-ace sister, Nancy.  And, this is what he notices.

(For the record, I do not agree with Husband on Nancy’s stellar looks. I think she is just aging gracefully.)

But, it reminded me of the time I once lived with a man who presented me with a list of plastic surgeries to which he would like me to commit. Really. Since I was in my mid 30s, he wanted – in writing – my level of commitment to stave off anything that changed my looks before sealing the deal on our relationship. Apparently, I must have been deteriorating before his very eyes. Either that, or he is an a-hole. (I vote for the latter.)

Needless to say, I did not marry him. (I let him live, however.)  Instead, I married Husband, who was aghast when I asked him the night of the Heart concert, Would you mind if I had work done?

His response? Really? Why? If I thought he would have understood it, I would have kissed the ground at that moment.

Getting married later in life can be incredibly rewarding, knowing someone loves you for more than a hard body and creamy skin. After all, if you are over 40, chances are a few things have started to, er, shift.

Someday I may opt for a few touch-ups here and there. But, it will be on my terms and not because I’m afraid Husband will feel the need to trade-up to a newer wife model. A benefit for marrying later in life is that men don’t marry you shiny new, so I guess they are okay with a little wear and tear. And, being loved for who you are – bags, sags and crinkles – is (almost) worth the wait.