How Mr Bean Saved My Marriage

My wife and I recently planned two days of celebrations to mark our 10th wedding annversary. Our children would have a sleepover and were almost as excited as us. When the morning finally came they were nearly out the door when our youngest child froze in fear.

He refused to budge until we agreed to cancel the sleepover. The idea of two days without us had suddenly hit him. We reassured, reasoned, even pled. To no effect. Our plans were dashed. “I’ll make the cancellations,” I told my wife, sadly.

In place of our anticipated pampering we now had two children to look after - and no plan. In resignation, we let our eldest child switch on the TV, and she chose her favourite show, Mr Bean. Her younger brother joined her.

Now, the thing with Mr Bean is that it's basically impossible not to laugh. I challenge you! Within minutes both children were wailing! They called me over and we watched together, laughing and snacking all the way.

A few episodes later, my son casually asked when they could start the sleepover. Wait, what? It's back on? It was like the morning’s incident hadn’t happened, the fear clean forgotten.

To my delight, we all went on to have a wonderful couple of days – my wife and I celebrating our anniversary, the children enjoying their sleepover. Thank you, Mr Bean!

It’s not the “thing out there” that scares us. It’s what we make of it. Or maybe we all just need a lot more Mr Bean. Funny, isn't it?