Pink Roses
#14: When she says she loves you more, deny it. Fight back.
They were newlyweds. Like it or not, all newlyweds act ridiculously lovey-dovey, and the Hartfords were no exception. Rose would write Mack a little note on the napkin she put in his lunch, and then Mack would put in a similar note into one of Rose's lecture slides. It was all very adorable…until it made you want to hurl.
And then there was the way they could never end a phone conversation simply. "Love you," Mack would say.
"Love you more," Rose would reply.
If said in front of a friend or coworker, the Hartford in question would be mercilessly teased, but neither cared. They were too lost in their newlywed bliss.
On one such occasion, Mack would not let it go. "No, I'm pretty sure I love you more."
"I definitely love you more," Rose insisted, shaking her head at the revolted Ronny who was sitting across the table from her.
"You do not."
"I do too."
"No, you don't, Rosie, and I'll prove it to you." And with that, Mack hung up the phone, mind racing with ideas.
--
A few nights later when the Hartfords were out to dinner, Rose reminded her husband of something. "I'm still waiting," she prompted him. "Where's your proof?"
"It's coming. Be patient, honey."
As they walked back towards their car, Mack smiled to himself. "What?" Rose demanded.
"Oh nothing," Mack replied airily, looking away from her and to a building with a flashing billboard on it. "Hey, look at that," he said, pointing.
Rose scanned the message flashing along the screen in red letters. 'I love you more, Mrs. Hartford. XOXO, Mr. Hartford.'
"Mack…you win."
