If you had asked me when I was 28 and in my wedding dress if I

In this witty and deeply human reflection, Jenna McCarthy speaks to the evolution of love and marriage. She contrasts the radiant, idealized moment of her wedding day — standing at 28, resplendent in her wedding dress, filled with dreams and expectations — with the humorous, imperfect reality of decades later. The image of her flipping her husband the bird over potato chips is not merely comedic; it is a symbol of how relationships transform from the passionate perfection of youth into the messy, authentic companionship of everyday life.

When we stand at the altar, we often see marriage as a shining tale of romance, like the ones woven in stories and celebrated in song. But as years pass, the realities of domestic life emerge. Small annoyances, like disagreements over snacks, bills, or chores, become part of the tapestry of a shared existence. Jenna’s quote reminds us that love is not always grand or poetic — sometimes, it lives in the mundane and even in conflict. It is the continuity of choosing one another, day after day, even when tempers flare and laughter comes mixed with exasperation.

This truth echoes through history. Consider the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, celebrated for its legendary devotion. While their union was marked by deep love, their letters reveal moments of anger, misunderstanding, and even bitterness. Yet through these struggles, their bond endured, proving that even the most exalted relationships are shaped by imperfection and perseverance. Jenna’s humorous example is a modern echo of this timeless lesson: love thrives not because it is flawless, but because it endures through the ordinary storms of life.

The potato chips in her story serve as a symbol of the trivial matters that often ignite larger emotions. Many ancient philosophers, such as Epictetus, warned that it is rarely the grand tragedies that test us most, but the small irritations of daily living. In marriage, these small battles can either erode connection or deepen intimacy through humor and forgiveness. By framing her experience with levity, Jenna shows that laughter is one of the greatest tools for navigating the complexities of long-term commitment.

Thus, her words carry a profound teaching for future generations: the beauty of marriage lies not in maintaining the flawless image of the wedding day, but in embracing the messy, authentic reality that follows. To love someone deeply is to journey with them through years of change, to argue over trivialities, and still to find joy in their presence. In this way, the gesture of “flipping the bird” becomes a sign not of failure, but of survival — proof that love has matured beyond illusion into something enduring, imperfect, and deeply true.