We have done so much and grown in a multitude of ways since we began dating. We got together the summer after college graduation; I started to make a list of some of the things we had experienced/survived together but stopped because I realized that the particulars aren't necessarily interesting to you dear readers, and regardless a list wouldn't begin to explain our experiences and history. I would imagine that most couples that have travelled more than a handful of years together happily (at least mostly) would say the same thing.
So to celebrate what we both consider our first milestone anniversary, we agreed to be a little extravagant with our gifts. We talked about general budgets and went on our merry way. I puzzled for a while over this- Eli is not particularly easy to buy for as he rarely has a burning desire for any "thing" and what items he puts on a wish list tend to be very modest. After a lot of thought I decided to get him a new subscription to satellite radio, and a pair of replacement ear buds with microphone for his Iphone. When we bought the Caliber in 2008 it came with a full year of Sirius free, but we had to let it lapse at the end of that time because we didn't feel we could afford such a luxury item. Eli had been sad to see it go, especially since we were just transitioning to the daily commute that would be keeping him in the car up to 2 hours a day. I was able to get him 15 months worth of the radio and stay within budget (yay free previews and discounts for being a return customer)!
Strangely, all through this talking and planning time, Eli never once asked me what I wanted. Even more strangely, I didn't really notice. Typically Eli will ask for my input before buying a gift. He doesn't always get the things I suggest,(which I actually really like) but he at least asks. But the time came and went and one day he just let me know he had ordered my gift and it would be arriving in a couple of days. He had it delivered to the lab so I wouldn't see it by accident if it was left on the stoop by the deliverer. Of course this lit a fire under my behind and I immediately ordered the subscription. The plan was to hold on to our gifts and actually present them to each other on this Friday. Unfortunately, in my haste to catch up with him, and the haste of the person selling me the subscription, the radio was activated the day I purchased the subscription, rather than our anniversary. I spent a fruitless 20 minutes on the phone trying to get it corrected with no success, so I told Eli we would have to exchange gifts early. He didn't seem to mind this, and in fact seemed very confident about his gift.
It was only in the day leading up to the exchange that I really started to wonder what he may have gotten me. My sister and best friend were both full of ideas- they got me so excited that I started getting nervous. I had been messing with Eli and told him that I had to go pick up his present because it had been delivered early, and I needed the Caliber and a tape measure to measure the hatch because I wasn't sure if it would fit. This really threw him for a loop. So after we put Will to bed I asked him if he wanted his present 1st or 2nd. He said first, so I made him put his shoes on and go out to the car, closing his eyes as he approached so he couldn't see anything. Once inside, I first gave him the ear buds, which he was delighted with and laughingly said could be his entire present. I told him to hush and turned the car on and the radio. He was so excited. It was probably the best gift giving I have ever done.
As we walked back into the house I was getting more and more nervous. He retrieved my gift from the basement. It was in a big black garbage bag, so I had no idea what it could be other than it obviously was somewhat heavy. Eli made me look at the ceiling while he removed the garbage bag. What I saw when I looked down made me immediately start crying- I was beyond excited. What he gave me was:
That's right dear readers, a 5 Quart Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer!!!! I have wanted one of these since we got married! This, the Cadillac of all stand mixers, and it is mine!!! If I ever had any doubt about how well my husband knows me, and how much he really does pay attention to things (even if his short term memory isn't always the best :) ), that doubt is gone forever. This was the most thoughtful, wonderful gift he could have possibly come up with. I know that some women would consider various forms of bodily harm towards their husbands if given a kitchen appliance as an anniversary gift, but not me. This present was perfect.
