Singing and adapting

A few nights ago I was singing while Jamie was trying to comment on a blog. Exasperated, she finally said, "I can't comment when you sing!"

Now, singing is a habit for which I make no apologies. I spent time this weekend singing with my family and on the drive home I sang with my kids. I grew up in a musical family and while I'm certainly not great, I can carry a tune.

But singing (or music or any other distraction) doesn't work for Jamie when she's trying to concentrate. She grew up in a household where quietness ruled; I grew up in a household where any hope for quietness was futile. She needs to pause the music to read an article; I can read a book with 5 kids playing tag in my living room.

When you marry someone, you inevitably discover that someone else processes a whole lot of things much differently than you do and you have to learn to adapt. Pausing the music isn't a big deal, but things like that can be annoying if you aren't careful.

In what ways have you had to adapt for your spouse? Is there anything you don't think you could give up - even for short periods of time - for someone else?