Being Kendra_ Cribs, Cocktails, and Getting My Sexy Back - Kendra Wilkinson [55]
Football season is hard on our family. Including game days and practices, Hank’s pretty much busy six days a week and is at practices and team meetings from seven A.M. to six P.M. He’s working hard mentally and physically—lifting weights, running sprints, practicing drills, and going over plays—all week long, so he’s exhausted when he gets home. It’s my time to take care of the family, just like he does when it’s his off-season.
On game day, I usually end up sitting with friends and family at the stadium, but also with a lot of the wives of Hank’s teammates. If I’m in town, I’m at the game. I’m so connected to sports I feel like I’m going out there playing myself when it’s a game day. And I’m not a typical wife out there saying, “Go Hank!” I take it further. I’ll say things all day like, “Hank, you better get mad, think of stuff that pisses you off and rip their heads off.” I can’t help but want to win too!
Some game days aren’t as fun as others though. Like my life, Hank’s career is full of ups and downs. I know how much heart Hank puts into the game; he works harder and more than anyone. He gives it his all and practices his butt off, but if he goes out there and drops a pass during a game (it happens), I worry. You don’t get a lot of chances in football, and you don’t want to screw it up. So if he messes up I get so pissed and he knows it. I’m not pissed at him because he failed to catch the pass, I’m pissed in general because I know what he can do when he’s on. But if he drops a pass or makes a mistake, I get sick to my stomach. He stays a little more upbeat after an error, saying he will do better next time. But I get frustrated because there may not always be a next time! Drop too many passes or get too old, and that’s it for your career in the NFL. He doesn’t get mad; he’s so calm and positive about everything. But I feel eyes on me when he drops a ball and, I have to admit, I get mad. All that goes through his head (other than the coaches and the score) when he makes an on-field mistake is, “Aww man, Kendra is going to be pissed at me.” It’s embarrassing, and as much as I’m there for him and want to be supportive, if he drops it I’m like, “Okay, that’s it, we’re done with football. We have to find another job.” I’m his wife and I love him, but I’m not going to sit here and say, “Go get them next time.” I’m realistic and I know how the sport works. This is his time. I know he can do it now.
Marriage is my nine-to-five. But I also work weekends and nights, because a marriage is a 24/7, 365-days-a-year job and I’m committed to it. It’s for eternity, till death do us part. My show might get canceled, Hank may get cut from another team, or our house could get repossessed, but in the end we have each other. Hank is the one person who’s not with me because of business or for a cut of the action. We’ve practically been homeless together, we’ve certainly been at war with each other, but we’ve never questioned our love. And we work really hard at our marriage. Our fights only strengthen us and prove our commitment. Part of me smiles at the fact that I got so worked up over Hank supposedly “sexting” another girl. He forgave me, but in the back of his mind after seeing that showdown, I’ll bet he’ll think twice about ever actually doing it!
Chapter 12
Mama’s Big Night Out
My life isn’t always about diapers, eight ounces of formula, and making veggie dinners for the family. Sometimes I do get to go out and let loose. I don’t love to do it too much—as you know I’d rather go out on a quiet date with my husband—but there are a lot of fun opportunities that come up and I’d be crazy to turn them down.
I make a living out