Better Off Ted, season 1 episode 9 has Linda moving into Ted’s office due to some chemical leak in the building. Linda sings, talks to her fish and does everything else except really get down to work, and Ted has a “problem” with it.

That particularly scene reminds me so much of the way Eli and I work. Eli is highly focused at tasks and his mind is always working on how to do better while I occasionally do drift off to do something else in between working on something. It is my way of coping and getting the pressure off for a short period of time.

Ted leaves the office and finds refuge elsewhere because he is unable to deal with Linda’s non-stop talking and “bad work habits”.

Eli on the other hand sits next to me and sometimes he entertains me. Other times, he leaves me to my own distractions. He never walks away.

Sometimes I wonder if my non-stop talking over nothing at all will unwittingly cultivate a selective listening habit with him, where he naturally filters out my voice and eventually stop hearing me completely! This is possibly one of my greatest fear in a relationship. Not hearing, much less listen to each other.

Fortunately for me, Eli is someone who continues to pay much attention to me. I may even be guilty of more instances where I am preoccupied with something else while he is reaching out to me than it is for him to not be giving me attention.

Eventually, Linda confronts Ted about his inability to work in the same office as her – because Ted is sexually and physically attracted to Linda. Having to share an office space with her where she is constantly in his “staring space” yet he is unable to make a move on her, makes it difficult for him to focus on his work.

I highly doubt the possibility of Eli being able to focus on his work while I am constantly in his face is because there is no attraction. Rather, he is able to handle my constant yakking and being in his face because he loves me very much. And we both know how crazy we are about each other. No awkwardness necessary.

I’ve always been curious about the dynamics when spouses work closely together. Is there a line between professionalism and personal that they never cross? Any specific tips on what would make partners at home perfect partners at work simultaneously?

One would assume it is easy working with your life partner. But it isn’t. It is more challenging than just a boss-assistant relationship. As it is, it is difficult to not bring work-stress home. Working together makes it all the more difficult because the person you disagree with at work is the person you share a life with.

What I’ve come to know is, stick to the basic rule of relationships. Respect and communicate.

Just because Eli is my man doesn’t mean I can be careless about the way I speak with him, particularly when it comes to business. While I am more vocal about my opinions with him because his business is my business, I have to maintain the same attitude I would have when speaking to a completely unrelated superior.

While I continue to work on my impatience and temperament, I believe Eli and I have come a long way in building the foundation of our personal relationship and establishing how best we can work together.

With continual respect, open communication, adoration and love, we are more committed to each other than ever before. Working together has actually helped us get to know each other better. I continue to marvel at Eli’s astuteness and brilliance.