The Goddess Speaks Glenda Chung Hinchey

Love means sharing his devotion to sports

"That's a steal, honey," my husband gently corrects me.

So I get confused when it comes to football and basketball terminology, but at least I find sports exciting. This is a statement I could not have made before I married David.

Prior to our marriage, I found sports boring, treated jocks with disdain because they weren't intellectuals, and never read the sports section of the newspaper. In fact, during the early years, I would make David use headphones so that the noise from the arena or stadium and the endless chatter of the sports announcers wouldn't disturb me.

I've come a long way. David has been a patient teacher, and I love him for it. Via osmosis, my husband's interest in sports has become mine. His excitement when his favorite team makes a touchdown is infectious. Now, not only do I watch football and basketball on TV, but I also click on the golf channel as well as take in tennis and volleyball.

Further, I routinely check Sports Center on ESPN to know what is going on in the sports world. Who was the No. 1 draft pick? Who was traded? How much is the other team paying him? Who was injured and how badly? As soon as my husband gets home from work, I give him the latest news.

But if I've watched a game, I'll cautiously ask, "Do you want to know who won?"

Almost invariably, he'll shout, "No, don't tell me the score! You'll ruin it for me!"

He usually doesn't want to know the outcome of a game, because he thrives on suspense, and hearing the score beforehand would kill his desire to watch his DVD recording. Therefore, I try to keep my mouth shut if I don't want a row.

Ironically, he doesn't mind my telling him how attracted I am to Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

"He's so sexy," I say, dreamily.

"Yes, dear," my husband replies. "We all know how much you like tall hunks. After all, you married one."

Just for the record, David measures 6-foot-1 -- giant next to my 5-foot-2 frame.

The love of my life has great plans for retirement. He wants to take up golf and learn to play like Tiger Woods. He is looking forward to pickup games at the basketball court. And he wants to add swimming to his routine at the gym. Because he works 60 hours per week at the office, he is unable to engage in these activities at this time. But, look out, world! Once he is retired, he will probably entice me to the golf course and get me involved.

That will be a kick.