The Little Things

When husband started law school we both made a pact that for the usual gift-giving holidays (birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas), that we would curtail the typical gift exchange for each other. While we continued to purchase gifts for other members of the family (for Christmas at least), our own holidays were only materially commemorated through cards. Instead, the money that would have been spent on these miscellaneous gifts went towards a nice dinner out or gambling money (yes, that does sound romantic, doesn't it). Even though husband has since finished school and we're both gainfully employed, we've kept this tradition. The bottom line is, no material gift or expression could anywhere near match the gifts husband bestows upon me each day. In fact, the past several Sundays, husband gave me such a great gift, it warms my heart just to think about it more than any trinket or knickknack could. Sundays are my long run days. At the end of each run, I stop at the pool area to fill up my water bottle so that I can stand in our front yard, cool down, stretch and start rehydrating. For the past several Sundays as I saunter back home, I've seen husband and our Boston Terrier patiently awaiting my arrival. Husband sits on the porch and tells our dog to get me. After calling her, she runs around the yard like mad. It's the most wonderful moment of the week for me. It's a gift that husband always asks how my run was on any given day. I'm so thankful for these many priceless gifts.