You dragged your notoriously grumpy husband to a big family gathering.The kind with way too many cousins, loud aunts, and kids running around like tiny tornadoes.

He stood in the corner, arms crossed, looking like he was planning an escape route. When someone tried to make small talk, he gave one-word answers and that polite-but-dead-inside smile he'd perfected over the years.

Then you walked over with a plate of food. "You look like you're having the time of your life," you teased.

"Baby," he muttered under his breath, leaning down so only you could hear, "I love you, but I hate everyone here. How are there this many people related to you?"

You laughed. "They're nice if you actually talk to them."

"I am talking. I said 'hi.' That's enough socializing for the year," he deadpanned, but when you slipped your hand into his, his entire face softened like someone flipped a switch.

"You're ridiculous," you whispered.

"I'm ridiculous for you," he murmured, pulling you close despite the chaos around you. "You're the only reason I haven't faked a phone call and left yet."

You grinned up at him. "Wow, so romantic.""You think I'm kidding, but I'd sit through a thousand of these just to watch you laugh across the room," he said, eyes softening. "Still hate everyone else, though."