A Healthy Relationship of Trust

So, my husband is a "little" ticklish. Okay, a lot. If I even get near his armpits or stomach he will completely crumble like a little girl. I must admit it's probably one of my favorite things to do. There truly is no greater joy then sneak attacking him and watching his face go completely red. I also enjoy tickling him when he says something overly sarcastic, or doesn't respond exactly the way I want. Again, I know using this weakness against him is cruel, but again so much fun.

However, probably the worst part about this whole game is the fact that I'm not even a little bit ticklish. Nope, not an ounce. I think when they were passing out the "tickle gene" my sister volunteered for all of it. She, like Dan, is a complete tickle disaster.

So, for the past year Dan has been trying to find something to combat my constant assaults. He's tried running his finger up my feet, blowing on my neck and screaming at me to become ticklish. Unfortunately, all of these attempts have been met with more tickling, laughing and a lame effort at an apologetic face on my part.

However, the other night I think Dan made a breakthrough. We were watching the cinematic masterpiece of "Invasion." For those of you who didn't see it opening night it's basically about these possessed individuals who vomit on each other to spread this bizarre disease. I know, it was truly awesome. Anyway, let's just say I'm not so "good" at scary movies (even if they are completely lame...I will still believe in the possibility of vomiting, possessed people). As the movie got worse (not in story line but in my level of fear), I started to hold my legs and watch the movie through my hand. During one scene of absolute terror, Dan grabbed me and screamed. Consequently, my ball of tension broke, I jumped up and it one fatal swoop punched him in the arm. Dan had found my achilles heel. Now to fight off my urge to tickle him Dan has decided to scare the crap out of me each night.

Lately, the strategy goes like this: Dan and Kate will read in bed for a little while, turn off the lights, say their prayers and get into bed. As soon as Kate is comfortable Dan will say something like this..."What would you do if you woke up in the middle of the night and a homeless man was standing over you and making weird breathing noises?" Kate: "Would he touch me?" Dan: "Possibly." Kate: Silence.

Result: Kate has stopped tickling Dan and Kate doesn't get up to pee anymore during the night.

So yes, the marriage is going well...