The Oasis that is Andre

This is what it's like to be with Andre:

Me (calling from mobile at 6:30pm): Hi Andre
Andre: Hey chère

Me: I'm just calling to say I'll be home in about an hour. Sorry I had to hang up on you today so quickly – it's been a bad day.
Andre: Oh, it's ok

Me: Andre, it's really been a bad day. I'm just looking forward to a quiet night in. Is that ok?
Andre: Sure. I'm making seafood fetuccini. What time do you want to eat?…

*flash to 30 minutes later. I'm walking up the driveway. I can smell something delicious. I round the stairs and see that Andre has been gardening. The chiminea has been watersealed. I walk into the house carrying 2 bottles of wine that I intend to drink myself unless physically restrained from doing so. There is a simple arrangement of pine cones and small flowers in a juice glass on the table, dinner is cooking, Andre is checking his recipe on the Internet

Andre: Hi baby. Happy International Woman's Day.
Me: *smiles*. Right, I can't believe forgot. Thank you.

Andre: So, do you feel like an 'International Woman'?
Me: Uh, well at the moment I definitely don't feel like a particularly happy one.

Andre: Well, that's probably appropriate today. Internationally, Women could be a lot happier.

Me: *mentally juxtaposing what he's just said against the comment my boss made to me less than 2 hours earlier about how my asking the date of the bonus payment was 'female curiosity'

Andre: Do you want a hug?
Me: Uh, yes. That's exactly what I want.

Happy International Woman's Day everyone. I hope some day there is an abundance of loving and emotionally intelligent partners to go around for everyone.