George, the Chairs, and What Love Really Means

I was watching the movie Phenomenon the other day. John Travolta plays George Malley, a small-town mechanic in California. After celebrating his birthday at the local bar, George steps outside, sees a strange light in the sky, and collapses. When he gets up, everything has changed.

In the days that follow, George’s mind starts working on a different level. His IQ jumps. He can move objects with his thoughts. He predicts an earthquake. He tries to explain what’s happening to him, but most people just see a freak. Even his friends pull away.

That part of the story is interesting. But what really got to me was the love story.

George lets a woman named Lace, played by Kyra Sedgwick, sell willow chairs outside his shop. She stops by now and then to swap out the ones that sell and collect the money. Later we find out nobody’s actually buying the chairs. George is. He’s been spending his own money just to get her to stop by.

She finds out. She’s mad. And he tells her the truth.

It was the only way I could see you.

That hit me.

If you’re married or in a relationship, let me ask you: when was the last time you bought their chairs? I’m not talking about furniture. I’m talking about showing up in small ways. Doing something just to be close. Just to show them you care.

Marriage isn’t a finish line. It’s the vehicle. We should never stop dating our spouses. I don’t always get this right. Life gets busy. I get tired. But that’s not a good enough excuse. We have to make time.

Maybe that’s sitting on the porch and actually listening. Maybe it’s a walk, a shared meal, a quiet moment. Find what they love and do that. It really is that simple. And yeah, sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to follow through on.

So ask yourself: when was the last time I bought her chairs?

If it’s been a while, start again today.

Buy the chair.