Those of you that have been with me a while know that Richard and I have this rule. No gifts. Not on Christmas, birthdays, or any other gift giving holiday. It has worked for us. Instead of sweaters and cologne and junk throughout the year, we do meaningful purchases. Like our bedroom set this year. That was Christmas, and then some. Over the years we have been able to get things we may not have otherwise. So it’s good. ‘No gifts’ works. Oddly though, the rule has exceptions. I guess most rules do. Heh. So Valentine’s has been one constant exception. No matter how much we discuss the ‘no gift’ rule, no matter how often he refuses any exceptions I want to make, Richard has always sent me flowers on Valentine’s. Well, until last year. That was when he hid an iPod Shuffle in the mail box. That was classic! Naughty, but classic. I think he subconsciously is compelled on VD. Scott said it well with his Valentine post:

If you are hooked-up, partnered, or married, the situation isn’t much better.  Ads on television and the radio remind your special someone that if you don’t buy them at least the Hope Diamond for VD, then you must despise them and you are little more than cow manure in human form.  Don’t think that you can get away with just one VD gift or card either.  According to a recent television ad I saw from a card company, you must find a humorous card that smartly sums up your love for this person in a funny way, a “I can’t bear to be without you” card that you slip into the person’s briefcase or tote bag, and then finally the “You are so completely perfect in every way that I need you more than oxygen itself” card.

LOL. I hope that isn’t why he does it. I am delighted every year to be surprised. This year was a total surprise! He has been so against my getting an iPhone that it has been a bit scary. We have even argued about it (I was going to get it last week as I had saved enough actual cash while still taking care of my bills). So imagine my surprise when I opened the card he had stashed in my lunch I took to work yesterday and found an enormous Apple gift card! Not an iPhone, but a nice chunk to put towards an iPhone! I am sooo excited! An still a bit shocked. I am so spoiled by that man! I love him! Heh.

I just wish I knew ahead of time so I could know how much we were spending. I figured from recent happenings (car accident) that this was to be a no gift year for reals. Now I feel cheap. I am going to take him to dinner this weekend, or lunch. He loves a good lunch out. In the meantime, I do think I did well with the card I selected for him . 

tagged: richard holiday iphone ipod lunch love surprise gifts valentine excited