In the 25 years that my partner and I have been together, I never truly recognized the person who now occupies our dining room table. During a recent video meeting, a hearty, vibrant laugh erupted from him—a sound I had never heard before. Even though we grew up as high school sweethearts and have shared countless experiences, I thought I had him all figured out; I was wrong. The laughter was borderline hysterical and far louder than anything I had encountered from him.
Typically calm and composed, my partner is a steady presence in our relationship, often serving as the anchor to my more emotional nature. It’s rare for him to express anger, and when he does, it’s justified. My speech is often peppered with colorful language, but his most dramatic reaction to my antics is usually just an eye roll. So, hearing this unexpected burst of laughter was a jarring revelation.
As I observed him in his work-from-home persona, I began to uncover other intriguing traits.
He’s Left-Handed (at Work)
Though I assumed I knew everything about him, I was surprised to discover that he uses his left hand for the computer mouse, despite being right-handed by nature. When I asked him why, he simply replied, “I wanted to see if I could.” Apparently, he can—and has been doing so for years. Why complicate life further by mastering a different hand?
He Has a Work Nickname
Just as we have our affectionate names for one another, my partner is known as “Jake” in his work environment. Although it’s a natural shortening of his name, it’s not what he’s been called for the last quarter-century. This deviation leaves me curious: Did a coworker start calling him Jake, and he just went along with it? Hearing his colleagues call him Jake feels as strange as when my kids refer to me by my first name instead of “Mom.”
He Practices Office Chair Yoga
While I slump on our couch typing emails, he sits upright at the dining table. Noticing he’s perched on a bench chair instead of one with back support, I offered to get him a comfortable chair. He kindly declined, stating that he prefers the bench to improve his posture. I call it laziness when I lounge in pajamas at noon, but he seems to consider it a workout.
His Memory is More Impressive Than I Thought
I have been amazed at his ability to remember intricate details during work calls, while I struggle to remind him of my birthday. He often tells me to email him reminders about household matters. However, during his workday, he manages to juggle multiple calls and responsibilities with remarkable clarity and patience. It’s exhausting to watch him handle all that chaos without ever leaving his chair.
He Cherishes His Office Supplies
Our dining table has transformed into his cluttered workspace where I discovered he has a collection of work pens arranged in a colorful row. I learned that I am not allowed to touch them—ever. This is a good reminder for him not to use my fabric scissors for anything other than their intended purpose.
Mr. “Healthy Choices” Has a Sweet Tooth
At the end of a long day, while our family gathers around for dessert, I often indulge in gluten-free treats. My partner, the health-conscious one, usually opts for a handful of dates. However, I recently learned about the secret stash of gourmet snacks he has collected from gift baskets at work. This hidden treasure trove includes Godiva chocolates and other sweets, making me realize he’s been detoxing from sugar while I enjoy my desserts.
Seeing my partner in this new light during quarantine has been surprising. He has transformed from the oatmeal-eating, quiet man I knew into someone animated and engaged with his colleagues. It’s made me think about the balance between work and life and how this experience might shape our future.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about this person I thought I knew so well. His patience and intellect have always impressed me, but witnessing him thrive in his work environment has been a unique gift. Will this new side of him stick around post-quarantine? I certainly hope so.
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Summary:
During the pandemic, I uncovered surprising aspects of my partner’s personality, from his work laugh to his secret stash of office supplies. This experience has allowed me to see a side of him I never knew while highlighting the importance of work-life balance.