Their meeting was by accident when both were in their teens;
He wore a dark gray, three piece suit, but she wore old blue jeans.
They liked each other right away and he asked for a date,
But then he added, Wear a dress, and Honey, you'll look great!
If you've a favourite restaurant we'll go there for a meal,
And then we'll dance the whole night through if that's the way you feel!
She said OK but added, Wear a dress?
Be reasonable!
So he thought he should wear his jeans, but she came in a dress!
He wasn't sure how to react; this date would be a mess!
But they enjoyed their evening out despite this first mistake,
And they agreed that there would be some changes they would make.
He'd never had a date before, he'd never felt like this;
So when he dropped her at her door, he asked her for a kiss!
She scowled at him and slapped his face and said
Be reasonable.
He wondered if she'd ever let him take her out again,
But they kept dating steadily and one thing soon was plain!
They made an ideal couple and no matter what friends said,
The time was fast approaching when they'd set the date to wed.
He didn't want to wait too long, he thought it should be soon,
But she said she had plans to make before their honeymoon.
She said, Just cool your ardour and--
Be reasonable!
He didn't want a grand affair; no wedding in a church,
But he thought if he argued she would leave him in the lurch.
Why do we have to make this fuss? It's just for you and me!
The registrar can marry us if we just pay the fee!
But she was adamant. She said, We're going to do it right.
We're going to have a lot of guests, and I'll be dressed in white!
He realized she meant it when she said,
Be reasonable!
The time hung heavy on his hands, one month seemed more like two!
While she did all the many things a bride-to-be must do.
He knew this was her special day, but this was ludicrous!
He said to her, Let's just elope. We don't need all this fuss!
But they must do it right, she said, her family would insist,
And he was so in love with her he didn't dare resist.
She smiled at him and said Don't be impatient-
Be reasonable!
With wedding invitations sent, the wedding day arrived!
He woke that morning wondering just how he had survived!
Their vows were said and rings exchanged and they were man and wife
And he was sure that this must be the best day of his life.
He said to her, Let's slip away! Why wait for the reception?
But she just laughed and brushed aside his tentative objection.
We have to meet our guests! she said,
Be reasonable!
At last they found themselves alone; their honeymoon ahead!
He slipped his arms around her when they reached their marriage bed!
Not now! she said, I'm much too tired, and I've a headache, too!
You'll let me sleep if you love me as much as I love you!
Lets wait until the morning, for tonight we both need rest.
And when we wake tomorrow you'll be such a welcome guest!
He thought, Oh, I must try! I'm sure I can -
Be reasonable!
He wasn't disappointed, it was quite a honeymoon,
But time went much too quickly, it was over much too soon.
The day arrived when they returned to face a mundane life,
But now it would be special when they lived as man and wife.
He said, Let's have a party! We'll invite your friends and mine!
But she said, That's extravagant, a quiet life is fine!
She said, It's time to settle down,
Be Reasonable!
So life went on, as life will do, and soon they bought a house,
Then quickly he learned how to be a good and faithful spouse.
He learned that there were simple rules which led to wedded bliss,
And living by the rules, he found, would earn a wifely kiss.
He always found her kisses sweet; they made his heart-strings thrum,
And he imagined promises of pleasures yet to come!
He prayed that he'd not hear those words,
Be reasonable!
They lived a long and happy life! When friends asked how, he'd say,
She has a motto in our home, I see it every day.
I've never known who wrote it but it's helped me cope with life;
It's helped me keep a happy and a well contented wife.
It's very simple really, though on times it makes me fret,
But I have always done it and she hasn't left me yet!
If you would like to try it, it says -
Be reasonable! See it my way!
Don Mulford