a happy couple: chip & Joanna gaines (video)

One of my favorite ways to spend a rainy afternoon  is to curl up with our dog on the sofa and binge watch "Fixer Upper." Sure, it's Joanna's design aesthetic that I like and who doesn't love a makeover story? But it's the banter between this husband and wife as they work on a project together that I truly love.

Golden Retriever-like Chip teases Jo but with every tease is a gosh-golly-wow compliment of how talented his beautiful wife is. When Jo's working late on the makeover house the night before the reveal and Chip brings their four little kids by with some dinner, my heart just swells from the adorableness of that gesture. ("Go on and give Mama a kiss before we have to go and let her work her magic for this family.") Their ease and acceptance of each other's quirkiness is something to admire. Marriage and coupledom can be hard. I like to think that watching other couples successfully navigate life can be a learning experience.

So, yes,  every time Joanna says SHIPLAP, I can't help smile (and think "Could I use shiplap in our house?") but every time Chip gazes over at his wife with delighted wonder, I realize THIS is why I watch.

"Fixer Upper" airs on BravoTV.