Tough Times Anniversary Gift

by Willy
(Lakewood, Ohio, USA)

It was nearing our fifth anniversary and my wife seemed bursting with mischievous joy. I was becoming intrigued, wondering what surprise she had in store for us. Times were a little tough. I was between jobs and Julie was substitute teaching in a local elementary school.

I knew this was going to be a sparse anniversary, so why all the secrecy and excitement in her eyes?

That special morning before she left for school, she placed an anniversary card on the nightstand by my side of the bed. Upon awakening I opened it to find a card with a picture of a luxurious yacht and an imprint of her lipstick in the shape of a kiss. She knew I’d always wanted a big boat, what could she be up to?

It was early afternoon when she arrived home lugging her gift for me wrapped in a large box. Opening it, I saw the image of a rubber boat with two rather large men aboard. Feeling disappointment and confusion, I continued unwrapping it to find just that: a 2-man inflatable rubber boat and pump.

What could I say? I managed a rather timid "Thank you," but she kept smiling.

We loaded the boat into the car, drove to the lake, inflated the boat and took off for what surprisingly became one of the most enjoyable days we’ve ever spent together.

After watching the sunset over the lake from our boat we came ashore, built a fire and well, you know…