Passing Gas and the Fine art of Marriage...

A few weeks ago, I posted the following to my Facebook feed:

A christmas etiquette question... I know it's rude to pass gas on a crowded theater, but what if it's just you and your wife at a Christmas matinee of Les Miserables?

Not entirely surprising, as those that know me know that I am celebrated for being a fine comedic writer, and as one that passes gas often. What really intrigued me were some of the responses that I got, chastising me for having the sheer unmitigated gall to pass gas in front of my lovely wife, Silverfox.

This, quite frankly, surprised the heck out of me.

Passing gas in front of your significant other is a relationship stage that I thought all couples went through. Being able to pass gas in front of your partner or loved ones is a sign of your comfort around them... (heck, in my family, it's the closest thing we have to a group sporting event...) I understand that the action of expelling flatus is the subject of crude humor most times, and can be unpleasant and often inappropriate, but at the same time there is something quite loving about the statement that ripping one next to your partner says.

(Stay with me here)

Cutting the cheese in front of your partner says that you trust them. It says that you know that they know you're human. It says that you know they won't judge you for your defects, faults, and ugly bits. It says that you know that they understand you.

Understand me here... I'm not saying I would ever subject Silverfox to a dutch oven. I love her, but the woman has a Tazer and a Bat'leth. There have even been times where she has threatened to come after my posterior with a full bottle of Febreeze... but if I pass gas in bed, It's understood that sometimes, you just have to fart.

The funniest part of the Facebook backlash for me was that everyone assumed that it was me having to pass gas. It was totally me that had the gas, but I still find it really funny that no one suspected for a second that it could have been Silverfox.