Many people say that men never truly grow up. Heck, I’ve probably made that same statement about hubby more times than I can count. And yes, I’m about to do it again.
It all started last Thursday when a package arrived in the mail. I happened to be home at the time (which is a rarity these days). After I signed for it, I took note that it was addressed to hubby and placed it on the counter to await his arrival.
When he got home from work he furiously tore into the package and disappeared into the other room. I never saw the package again.
Now, I consider myself to be fairly perceptive and his disappearance and subsequent lack of conversation about this package, led me to believe it was some sort of anniversary present. (Yesterday was our 8th anniversary!). And, since the box disappeared and we all know how good he is at hiding gifts (see here) we can only assume he is learning from this blog!
Ok, so it may not have been just the disappearing package, perhaps it had more to do with the other “subtle” comments he had made throughout the week about our anniversary. Things like……
- “I have quite the coup for our anniversary”. To which I replied, “you’re overthrowing a government for our anniversary?”
- “I am the Best Gift Giver. EVER”. To which I replied, “I’m not sure you can bestow this title upon yourself?”
- “If I can pull this off, you are gonna absolutely love my anniversary present”. To which I replied. “You’re setting the bar pretty dang high you know…”
What hubby didn’t realize was that the more he built up this amazing, fantastic, perfect gift – the higher he brought my expectations. And that my dear blog readers, is a mighty slippery slope in the world of marriage. You always want to under-commit and over-deliver. Or, more likely, just keep your mouth shut and over-deliver.. but hubby’s childlike enthusiasm was getting the best of him! (And, just for the record he’s a pretty good gift giver… you can read previous gift giving posts here & here)
So, on the 5th consecutive night last week, as we were laying in bed and he was savoring the thought of being the Best Gift Giver In The World, he stated once again, “you’re not gonna believe this coup”. And I said, “you really like using that word ‘coup’ huh? I’ve heard it like 10 times this week”. And he replied. “yes I do indeed like that word, and it’s the most appropriate word for the coup I’ve pulled off.”
So, back to the arrival of “The Package”.
That night he starts to taunt me….
Hubby: “Want your anniversary present?”
Me: “Uhm no.. our anniversary is on Monday”
Twenty minutes later…..
Hubby: “Want your anniversary present?”
Me: “The anniversary is still on Monday”
Friday night we’re on the couch watching tv…..
Hubby: “Want your anniversary present?”
Me: “Do you need to check the inscription inside your wedding ring to verify the date”? (my ingenious way to ensure he can never claim he doesn’t know the date of our anniversary).
Hubby: “Nope, no need to check. I just thought that you might want it now since it’s soooooo awesome”
Me: “I have patience. I will wait.”
Saturday night we’re at home…..
Hubby: “Want your anniversary present?”
Me: “You’re like a child”
Hubby: “It’s so awesome. I can’t wait to give it to you.”
Me: “Should we start exchanging Christmas presents on the 23rd of December?”
Hubby: “No”
Me: “Then why should we do gifts before our anniversary”
Hubby: “Because it’s such a coup!”
Me: “There’s that word again…..”
Hubby: “I’m just so anxious to give it to you. Ok, we can exchange Christmas presents on Dec 23rd”
Me: “I will still wait until Monday”
Sunday night we’re sitting at home…..
Hubby: “Do you want your anniversary present?”
Me: “Hon, you’re really not letting this go huh?”
Hubby: “It’s just that I won’t really see you tomorrow. We’ll be at work all day then we’ll both be tired when we come home.”
he’s wearing me down…..
Me: “You really want to exchange gifts tonight?”
Hubby: “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!”
Me: “Ok, fine”
The words are barely out of my mouth when hubby tears off through the house like a child who was just told he could have an elusive piece of candy that he’d been begging for all week.
And, I’ll tell ya what. It was quite a coup.
This is not *exactly* what hubby bought me but it's the closest I could find!
Admin Note: Hubby had remembered how much I admired some jewelry on a trip we took to Mexico. This was from a custom jewelry collection by a Mexican artist. An artist whose name we didn’t write down and couldn’t remember at all. Hubby scoured the internet to dig up his name, he contacted him directly and ordered a beautiful piece from his collection to be shipped to us from Mexico. It was one of the best presents he’s ever given me… all the way from remembering I liked these pieces, to the creative effort it took to dig up this jeweler’s name, to all the work he put into selecting the perfect piece and getting it sent in time. THANK YOU HUBBY FOR A WONDERFUL ANNIVERSARY! And, if you are interested, the artist is Hector Salgado and I am just totally in LOVE with his collection!
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Naaaaaaw that’s really sweet! Bonus points to Hubby!
Quite an “over deliver”, congrats on your anniversary.
How sweet!
Your description of your husband not wanting to wait to give you the present made me chuckle…sounds familiar.
He did indeed pull off quite a coup! Happy Anniversary!
So great that he went the extra mile, so sweet.
Ok, I may not be a sadie Sadie married lady yet but I am LOVING these stories!! Headed over from the tea party and I gotta say- you rock!
*Krystina
http://www.cupahotchocolate.blogspot.com
“Underpromise and overdeliver”? How do you feel about foreplay? Which is another way to look at what hubby was up to.
Yes,, I got the rest, but think about recasting his actions from HIS POV, as you want him to recast your actions from yours.
23 years later, I’m still stoked when I can figure out a present that my wife will be totally excited about. And yes, I sometimes (often) have trouble keeping it to myself.
Enjoyed your comments in the WSJ, which is what brought me here. Have you heard of Allison Armstrong? She’s got some good insights too.
Thanks for stopping by John… I’m not familiar with Allison Armstrong but I will definitely check her out! And, I totally get the excitement of finding that “perfect” gift!
Great story. He’s a keeper for taking so much trouble to listen so carefully and follow through. Lucky you!