My husband, who is 45, completely forgot about my birthday on the 27th of February. And on that very same day, off he went fishing with his mates: while he was away, I set up such a surprise that I doubt hell ever forget the date again
My husband forgot my birthday and on the day itself, he went fishing with his mates. While he was away, I arranged a surprise that made certain hell never forget this date again.
By the time hed reached fifty, my husband, Andrew, had developed an odd sort of talent. He unfailingly remembered when his car was due for an oil change, the exact dates his friends planned their fishing trips, and could recite the fishing season schedule in his sleep. Yet, somehow, family dates always seemed to vanish from his mind as if by magic.
Normally, I was the one who saved the day in advance. Id drop subtle hints, leave notes, sometimes just ask him directly. But my forty-fifth deserved more. I wanted something different this year. No reminders, no gentle nudges. I foolishly imagined that twenty-five years of marriage would have taught him something.
On Friday morning, Andrew dashed around the house, frantically searching for his fishing gear and rucksack.
Jane, have you seen my flask? The lads are waiting. Were heading down to the Thames. This is the best time for it. Ill be back Sunday, there wont be much signal out there.
He gave me a quick peck on the cheek, barely looking at me.
Dont mope. Treat yourself to something nice, alright?
The door closed behind him. I walked to the calendar. There, circled in red, was my birthday. Not only had he forgotten; hed chosen that very day for his big outing.
At first, I was hurt. Then I felt a chill inside, a sort of calm resolve. Thats when I decided to give my husband the one for whom fishing and friends seemed more important than the woman hes supposed to love a lesson hed never forget. I set my plan in motion and, by the time he came home, he was in for quite the surprise. Hell never forget my birthday again.
Now let me tell you exactly what I did.
Andrew had a secret stash. Hed been carefully squirrelling money away for a new outboard motor. Kept it locked in the home safe. I knew the code, as his flawless memory did fail him now and then.
It was a hefty sum. Nearly £8,000. I opened the safe and made my decision.
I spent that weekend in a way Id never allowed myself before. I ordered catering, invited my girlfriends, filled the house with fresh flowers. There was music, laughter, champagne. The next day, dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. After that, a day at a spa.
To top it all: a brooch, one Id had my eye on for ages but always put off for the sake of our joint plans.
On Sunday evening the door swung open. Andrew walked in, grinning, a bucket full of fish in his hand.
Well, look at this haul! Had an absolute cracker of a time!
He took one step into the living room and stopped dead. Empty bottles on the table, baskets of flowers in the corner, carrier bags from the poshest shops piled on the sofa.
What happened here? We have guests?
We did, I answered coolly. It was my birthday. Forty-five. Remember?
He froze, exhaled sharply.
Damn Jane, I genuinely forgot. With everything going on, I just lost track. You do understand, dont you
I do, I cut him off. Thats why I decided not to get upset. I organised it all myself. Even picked my own present.
His eyes darted towards the study. He must have noticed the safes door slightly ajar. He turned pale and rushed over. A minute later he returned, looking stunned.
Wheres the money? Its gone. Where are my savings?
Right here, I swept my hand around the room.
You spent it all? That was for the motor! I saved for two years!
And I carried on, year after year, for twenty-five years, I replied quietly, but firmly. You forgot my milestone birthday. I made sure youll remember it for a long time.
He sank into an armchair and just stared at his bucket of fish, then at the empty safe, then at me. There was no point arguing, as technically the money was ours.
He gutted his fish in silence.
Six months have passed. Hes saving for his motor all over again. Now, however, there are reminders set for every important date one month before, a week before, then the day itself. Sometimes lessons come at a price. But this one, hell never forget.
