I'm a Democrat and my husband is a Republican. It's never been that big of a deal because we're both pretty moderate in our beliefs and we aren't really the kind of people to sit around debating for hours about the issues, so it was more of a cute thing we bragged about in our early years.

"I'm a Democrat," I would say and then look at my husband, "and he's a Republican." Then we'd snuggle and everyone would laugh about how two people could have a bipartisan relationship in peace but the Senate can't stop arguing. It was like a cool parlor trick.

My husband and I talked about who we will be voting for this year a little, but for the first time ever there was some tension in our conservation. I would say it actually bordered on a debate. He hinted that he might be open to voting for either candidate. 

I said we should watch the debates together and talk about the issues and all the other stuff people do when trying to decide on a candidate. I wound up watching the debates alone and then when my husband recently sent in an absentee ballot he announced he voted with his party.

I made a comment — jokingly — about how I was glad he voted for Palin to become president, and he exploded. "Just wait until you make your vote," he snapped, "and see what I say about your candidate."

Apparently we no longer joke about politics together. I wish I had received the memo warning me of such.

I'll be glad when the election is over.