Oh mate, youre not going to believe what happened to me this year. So, my husbandhes 45 nowmanaged to completely forget my birthday on the 27th of February. And to make matters worse, he decided to go off on a fishing trip with his mates on that very same day! While he was off with his rods and reels, I cooked up a little surprise for him, and I doubt hell be able to forget my birthday ever again.
You know, by the time my husband was nearing fifty, hed developed this rather odd little quirk: hed remember to the exact day when the car needed its oil changed, when the blokes were meeting up for a pint, and the best times to go fishing. But any special date to do with our family? Completely blank. Its as if those memories just vanish from his head.
Usually, Id save the day by dropping a few hints, leaving little notes, or just flat-out asking him if he remembered. But for my 45th, I really wanted something different. No reminders, no pleadingits been twenty-five years of marriage, I thought the man would have learned by now.
So, that Friday morning, you shouldve seen Harry dashing around the flat, picking up his fishing gear and stuffing things into his backpack.
Emma, have you seen my flask? The lads are waiting. Were off to the Thamesperfect timing. Ill be back Sunday, dont expect much signal.
He gave me a quick peck on the cheek, barely looked at me, and said, Dont get bored. Treat yourself to a nice dinner or something.
The door shut behind him. I just walked over to the calendar on the wall. There it was, my birthday circled in red. Not only had he forgottenhe actually chose that day to leave.
Ill admit, it stung at first. Then, honestly, I just went cold. And thats when a plan started brewing in my head. If fishing and the lads were more important than his own wife, then fineId make sure this date stuck in his memory. So, I put my plan into action, and when he came back home, lets just say he got the surprise of his life. I doubt hell forget my birthday ever again.
Let me tell you exactly what I did
So, Harry had this little stash of savings. Hes been putting money aside for ages, hoping to buy a new outboard motor for their boat. Kept it all tucked away in a safe behind his desk. I knew the codeafter all, his perfect memory isnt always that perfect.
Were talking a good sumalmost £8,000. I opened that safe and, there and then, made my decision.
That weekend turned into one Id never allowed myself before. I rang up a caterer, invited the girls round, filled the flat with flowers. We had music, laughter, champagnethe whole works. The next evening: dinner at a gorgeous restaurant overlooking the city. After that: a relaxing visit to the spa.
And finally, I treated myself to a beautiful brooch Id had my eye on for ages, but always put off because of shared plans.
Sunday evening, in comes Harrybeaming, lugging a bucket full of fish.
Well, look what I caught! Great weekend!
He walked into the lounge and stopped dead. Empty bottles on the table, baskets of flowers in the corner, shopping bags from Selfridges and Harrods scattered about.
What happened here? Did we have guests?
Yep, I replied, calmly. It was my birthday. Forty-five, in case you remember.
He went pale. Bloody hell Emma, I really forgot. Everythings been so full-on lately. You understand, love
I do understand, I said, quietly but firmly. So I decided not to be upset. I made plans myself. Chose my own present, too.
He glanced nervously towards his study. Saw the safe slightly open. He rushed over, came back looking shattered.
The moneys gone. Where is it? Thats two years savings!
I just smiled and gestured around the room. Well, its all here.
He stared at me, then the empty safe, then back to me. He was too stunned to even kick up a fussafter all, that money was supposed to be shared.
He cleaned his fish in complete silence.
Six months on, and hes still saving up for that motor again. But now? Hes got reminders set in his phone for every single important date: a month before, a week before, the day beforeyou name it. Sometimes, my dear, lifes lessons come with a hefty price tag. But this time, hes learned it for good.
