Busted

Now I love my husband, no question there regardless of challenges that being married 12 1/2 years can sometimes provide. Over those years we have learned a lot about what this level of commitment means, and the learning curve along the way especially since he has never even dated another woman before me.
All this to say that he has never ever surprised me with a great gift. He sure has made an effort in his own way but really I either spelled it out for him or for others to assist him. Christmas came and I suggested we create wish lists so there was always a resource if other people asked what to buy us and we would have ideas at a moments notice. He didn't follow that list and deviated on his own which was sweet but didn't hit the mark. But today, tonight he did surprise me. Except it was not the way he intended and the good wife I am, I am covering for his mishap.

A few weeks ago he warned me that he had spent some small amount of money and that he just had to get "it". I left it be figuring I may handle the day to day money and he most assuredly can do that from time to time. I put little thought into it after that. Then this week I ordered some items from Oriental Trading for #4's bday party, Easter and our family Olympics this summer. So when a UPS truck pulled up, honked his horn and back into my driveway I assumed it was that. Impressed by the speed of such items I headed to retrieve the box. Nope no box was found. I walked from the front door to the garage door and scoured everything certain the driver would not have taken it back with him. 10 minutes later, stumped by the apparently vanished box I see an envelope on the shelf where my paper recycling sits. Hmmm, that is pretty small I think and then I see my husband's name on the label. Still not dawning on what is happening I walk to the kitchen and cut open the envelope. First I had attempted to open in a way it could be closed again but well that wasn't possible. Within the paper, and black velvet holder I see this:

Of course mine looks prettier because the stones are better colors. But the real truth is I always wanted a mother's ring. Being that they are terribly expensive I resorted to clipping a picture from JC Penny's some years ago and giving it to hubby who promptly purchased it and asked me to pick it up and wrap it for Christmas. I hated that necklace because I wanted it to be something my family purchased because they were inspired. I also couldn't tell him that because I gave him the suggestion.

Well, with all things we do not love it slipped off my neck while I was vacuuming the van out one day and though I didn't suck it up on purpose when I heard the sound I made no attempt to retrieve it. My lack of emotion with its loss spoke volumes and I was then forced to be honest about the whole thing. We both learned a bit that day. Here in my hand I held my aha moment in that not only did he remember but he sought it out, took initiative to order it early since our anniversary is on Easter, my birthday 15 days after that and Mother's day just before such. Wow, I can't help but be thrilled at him in this moment. Course after my heart stopped warming I felt horrible that the surprise was blown. DUH! It is so like my sweet single minded hubby to forget the detail of having the item delivered anywhere but our house! I then giggle at him and his missing link and make a phone call to rectify the mistake so he will get his surprise. My father easily partner in crime will take the heat for opening the item "by mistake" and realizing to hold on to it and not give it to me. They addressed it with the wrong city anyway so believable of the mistake. I will put on my best Academy Award winning surprise act and he will never know I got the thoughtful gift a bit early.

Now shhhhhhhhhhhhh, you are in on the secret too. Good thing he does not read my blog:)