My husband, 45, has forgotten about my birthday on 27th February and, to top it all off, decided to head off fishing with his mates on the very same day. While hes out, Ive arranged such a surprise for him that I doubt hell ever forget this date again.
By the time David hit fifty, hed developed a peculiar talent. He could tell you the exact mileage for an oil change, the dates of every fishing trip with his mates, and the prime times for the best catch. But for some reason, family dates vanished from his memory as if by magic.
Normally, Id save the day by dropping hints, leaving notes, or just asking him directly. But I wanted to spend my 45th differentlynot as a reminder, not begging for attention. Silly me, I thought twenty-five years of marriage might have taught him something.
That Friday morning, David was darting around our flat, stuffing his rucksack and sorting his rods.
Sophie, have you seen my flask? The lads are waiting already. Were off to the riverits just the right time! Ill be back Sunday, barely any signal out there.
He pecked my cheek in passing, without really looking at me.
Dont mope. Treat yourself to something nice.
The door clicked shut behind him. I walked over to the calendar. The date was circled in redmy milestone birthday. Not only had he forgotten, hed actually chosen this day to go away.
At first, it stung. Then everything inside me went cold and calm. Suddenly, I knew how to remind my husband that fishing and friends shouldnt always come before your wife. My plan started to take shape, and by the time he returned, he was in for a surprise to remember. I can promise youhell never forget my birthday again.
So what did I do?
David had a secret stasha dont touch fund hed been saving for a new engine. All the cash was tucked away in the safe. I knew the combination, since his flawless memory sometimes failed him.
It was a considerable sumalmost £8,000 in all. I opened the safe and made up my mind.
That weekend was like nothing Id ever allowed myself before. I booked a caterer, invited my friends, filled the house with flowers. There was music, laughter, champagne. The next evening, dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city, and then a spa day.
The pièce de résistance? A brooch Id been admiring for years, but always put off buying because of bigger plans.
Sunday evening, the door opened. David came in, beaming, with a bucket of fish in one hand.
Come and see the catch! We had a brilliant time!
He stopped dead as he entered the lounge. Empty bottles on the table, flower baskets in the corner, shopping bags from the most exclusive stores on the sofa.
What happened here? Did we have company?
We did, I answered placidly. It was my birthday. Forty-five. Remember?
He froze, then let out a long breath.
Oh hell, Sophie, I really did forget. Got swept up in things You understand, dont you?
I do, I interrupted. Which is why I decided not to get upset. I organised everything myself. Chose my own present, too.
His eyes darted towards the study. The safe door was ajar. He turned pale and hurried to check. A minute later he returned, ashen-faced.
Wheres the money? Its all gone. Where are my savings?
Theyre all around you, I replied, gesturing at the room.
You spent the lot? Thats my engine fund! I saved two years!
And Ive waited twenty-five years, I said quietly but firmly. You forgot my milestone birthday. So now youll have a reason to remember it.
He slumped onto the sofa, staring first at the bucket of fish, then at the empty safe, then at me. He could hardly kick up a fuss, since technically the money was family money.
He cleaned the fish in silence.
Its been half a year since then. Hes started saving for the engine all over again. But now, every important date pings a reminder on his phone a month, a week, and a day in advance. Sometimes, the best lessons dont come cheap. But this onehell never forget.
