Romance
Having just returned from a wonderful weekend in Branson MO, where we celebrated the wedding of my cousin Michael and his lovely bride, Megan, this seems the perfect time to write about Romance.
Weddings are always so romantic. One of my favorite parts is watching the groom in that moment when, captivated by her beauty and overcome with the realization that it's all for him, he watches his bride walk down the aisle. Then there's music, the flowers, the intimate gazes. It's like a fairy tale. It is beautiful. It's perfect. It's romantic.
And there's the "after 28 years together" kind of romance that doesn't look like a fairy tale from the outside but, all the same is beautiful and perfect, and yes, romantic. It's the kind behind this picture.
It was going to be a big weekend in Branson with lots of activities and people and visiting with cousins I haven't seen in years. Now, I'm a bit ...frugal. (There's a less flattering word that more accurately describes my level of frugality but let's just say frugal!)
My husband of almost 28 years is a man of few words. He is kind and thoughtful and generous. He never looks at my credit card bill or asks any question about it. If I went home and told we all had so much fun being together that we decided on a cousin's trip and bought cruise packages, he wouldn't care. This is my husband.
So, Pat was at work and Kim was off to Branson. When I went to get in the car, this envelope of cash was on the steering wheel. I called Pat.
"Did you leave an envelope of cash on my steering wheel?"
" I did."
" Honey, that's so sweet. Thank you."
"You're welcome. It's just some spending money for your trip. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPEND IT?
What is so romantic about this? Two things.
When Pat said "Have a good time," what he meant was: "Don't drink bad hotel coffee in the morning; you can go buy good coffee. Go to a show. If the girls all get their nails done, go with them. And if you see a coffee shop you want to visit on the way home, it's okay to have 2 overpriced coffees in one day!" He truly cared that I have fun and not stress over things and, in his quiet, understated way, he made the message loud and clear; I smiled all the way there just thinking about that.
The other romantic is that he did't overdo it. Had there been even $100 in that envelope, it would have been promptly set aside to be used later for gas or groceries. Because he knows ME so well, he knows this. And he didn't want that money paying bills. He wanted me to relax...to order dessert...or whatever, without debating the issue or keeping a running tab of unnecessary expenditures.
Isn't that precious?
So I kept his envelope in my pocket, and each time I withdrew money for a pricey coffee (or a Butterfinger shake...shh!) I felt loved and cherished by the sweet guy who knows me so well and so unselfishly and thoughtfully went the extra mile to say "have fun."
The truth is I didn't need anywhere near what he sent to feel completely spoiled and indulged all weekend, and I used very little of his gift.
But the leftovers aren't going to the bank! They are staying right in my pocket and for the next several weeks I'm going to have a few more guilt free overpriced coffees (no more shakes...the calories don't seem to understand how this works!) and celebrate our own version of romance.
All the best to the newlyweds and all the other romantics!
Until next time, Kim