A LITTLE BIT OF ROMANCE - ALMOST
I’m a sucker for a romantic film.
Depending on my mood, they leave me hopeful, lustful or even blubbing at some heartfelt letter or gesture. My husband however doesn’t share my love of the romantic ‘only happens in a movie’ moments. Its not that he doesn’t do nice things for me, or didn’t make wooing gestures when we first got to know each other. I just no longer expect cliché gestures that belong in movies. (I’m not saying I don’t still secretly hope for them.)
Imagine my surprise when I woke up at 5am to the sound of stones pinging against my window. It would be worth mentioning here that we have been together for 8 years and married for 3, having known each other for 13 years. Today is our anniversary.
My first thought was that some little sods were hanging out front of the house throwing stones at the windows and cars. As I lifted the roman blind to look into the street, I was shocked to see my husband, home from his night shift, as the only person there. He was standing below our bedroom window with stones in his hand and a smile on his face.
*Cue romantic music*
I stare at him perplexed and bleary eyed, and as it dawned on me, I smile, melting slightly as I realise it is our anniversary, him mimicking the films of a boyfriend trying to get my attention without waking my parents before climbing up some precarious wall creeper, and I say “happy anniversary gorgeous”.
His response…
“Happy anniversary - you locked me out”.
“Oh - I didn’t lock you out, [our lodger] must have left the key in the lock. I’ll be right down.”
Maybe not the intention, but I’ll take any resemblance of a romantic moment on our anniversary. To be completely fair we both forgot about it until a card arrived in the post from a family member the day before.
What I really value
Instead of gifts or cards or flowers this year, we are just going to spend some quality time together when he wakes this afternoon making something together for our home. Then we will pick up our daughter and I will feel those feelings of utter love, bliss and security - every bit as good as the films.
An added benefit of the early wake up call was the opportunity to have a cup of tea together before he went to sleep, and as our daughter finally slept through the night again, (the second time in weeks), I was able to enjoy 40 minutes of invigorating morning yoga. Romance or no romance, I really can’t complain.
P.S. Thanks to John Salzarulo for the free photo on Unsplash.