“The oldest of nine children, the ultimate caregiver, marries the youngest of six, the ultimate caregetter–a match made in co-dependent heaven.” -Jeannie Gaffigan, When Life Gives You Pears

This is one of the funniest lines in Part 3 of “When Life Gives You Pears,” by Jeannie Gaffigan. The most surprising nugget in the book is a chapter on Jeannie and Jim’s whirlwind “romance.”

She details life in New York City with Jim Gaffigan, the overconfident stand-up comedian who walked around the apartment in his boxers during their dating phase, and how for months she was afraid to commit to him because she feared her life being steam-rolled by his up-and-coming career.

I enjoyed this chapter a lot because despite their differences, they worked well together. They were complements in their abilities and personalities. They understood what they wanted and made healthy sacrifices without losing themselves. They made the choices with full understanding of what they were letting go of, and they chose one another for their future.

– Jason