This past Friday, October 29th, my husband and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. Five years of marital bliss, which, for those who don't know, consists of the following:
- Copious amounts of laughing; belly laughs and laughing so hard you cry are usually the best
- Some bickering
- Lots of hugs
- Daily kisses, and every now and then, making out like a pair of teenagers
- The occasional knock down, drag out (just keepin' it real, folks)
- Knowing when to say you're sorry (see above!)
- Praying together, and for one another
- Waking up daily willing to bring your best game to the marriage
- Lots and lots of love
With this being the five year milestone, I wanted to do something really special for my husband, however as I had to work the entire weekend, plans of a short, romantic getaway had to be put on hold. Nonetheless, I wanted to mark the occasion and give him a gift that was meaningful, yet original, and of course it had to fall within the traditional anniversary gifts, which, for five years, is wood.
An aside: Did you know that every year has a traditional gift associated with it? Yeah, it's not just the big ones, 25-silver, 50-gold, 75-diamond. Nope, each year has one. Five is wood. If you're interested in what some of the other "years" are, click here. It's a pretty interesting list!
After considering several "wood" options and not finding one meaningful enough, it dawned on me one evening while I chatted with my mother-in-law; I already had his gift!
A few months ago, while vacationing in Wisconsin, I shot some photographs of an old, commercial fishing tug [boat] that my husband worked on in his teens. I remember him speaking of that boat, the Avis J, with deep affection, not so much for the boat, I'm sure, but more for that time in his life. It was a tough time, to be sure, but working on the Avis J made him feel a part of something special, and I know it helped shape the man he would later become, the man I married, the man I'm still madly in love with. Yes, the Avis J was the perfect gift. I had it enlarged and framed, and yes, it fit the traditional wood gift. It was a wood boat and the frame was wood. Perfect, right?
When I gave it to him that morning before heading into the office, I knew by his reaction that it was the perfect gift. I was so pleased that I'd not only given him something that reminded him of his past and how far he's come, but something that completely surprised him. I went off to work on a cloud.
That afternoon, dismissed early in preparation for the long weekend of work ahead, I went home to unwind, rest and have a mini celebration with my husband. When I got home, the hubs wasn't home yet, so I relaxed for a bit and reflected on the last five years and remembered the beautiful day I married my best friend.
A few hours later, my amazing husband came home, bearing gifts. He walked through the door carrying a gorgeous floral bouquet. He gave it to me with a sly grin, then went back out to his truck, muttering something about "there's more." Seconds later, he reappeared with a little black velvet box in his hands. Suddenly I had butterflies in my stomach. I knew what that box held, and was cringing at how much he'd probably spent. With a gleeful smile, he said, "happy anniversary, my love" and opened the box. Before me, nestled among the black velvet, was a new diamond wedding ring. This man had upgraded my wedding ring. And it was beautiful!
Sadly, I robbed my husband of the reaction he was expecting from me. Caught up in the thoughts of how much he'd spent, and to be honest, that the diamond wasn't the shape I would have selected for myself, I quietly whispered, "oh my, you shouldn't have" as I watched his face fall in disappointment.
He asked if it was the cost or the ring that I had issue with, and made clear that the cost was something I need not worry about. He offered to exchange the ring. And to be honest, I considered it. (I know, I know, I'm a total brat!)
But I didn't return or exchange the ring. He put it on my finger, and it dawned on me: if this had been the ring he'd proposed to me with five years ago that day, I would have been over the moon! This was the ring he wanted me to have. It was yet another reflection of how far he, we, have come, that he was able to do this for me.
Today, almost a week later, I look down at my hand and see that huge rock glinting in the low light and I can't help but smile. After all, I am one very lucky girl!
Here's to unexpected gifts and my awesome husband!
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