Friday, November 19, 2010

First Gift Blog Hop

The "First Gift" topic required some serious thought.

You'd think the "first" gift would be the most unforgettable, right?

My husband's first gift was. And after sifting through countless memories created by 23 years of marriage (this month, in fact!), four daughters, one grandson, and every life experience in between, I realized why I'd missed the quiet beauty and perfection behind his gesture.

Like a lot of couples, we married young...right out of high school practically. With college on the horizon and a baby on the way (oh, yeah, I'd gotten pregnant right off the bat!), Hamburger Helper was too expensive for our budget. Add to that, the Christmas holiday was fast approaching.

Hubby's boss had given every employee a Christmas tree (his brother owned a Christmas tree farm), and the smell of fresh pine filled our small apartment. I made popcorn garlands for decoration because, well, that's all we could afford.

A week before Christmas, I came home to find our Christmas tree decked out in beautiful Hallmark ornaments. I squealed in delight, and my husband smiled shyly. "I did extra work on a remodeling job, and they gave me this box filled with ornaments. I'm sorry none of the dates are right."

He was right. Not one ornament had a relevant date. Didn't matter. They were perfect. The thoughtfulness behind his gesture humbled me. The love they represented filled my soul.

We started a tradition that first Christmas together, one we've followed every year since: hanging those mismatched ornaments on the Christmas tree next to others we've collected over the years. They all have special meaning, but some of them-a select few-I cherish with all my heart.

13 comments:

  1. I have to tell you that tear welled up...I'm at work woman, they can't find me crying. This was beautiful. I hope you keep cherishing the memories.

    Rachel Firasek

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  2. Oh!!!! That tugged at my heartstrings! What a perfect gift, the kind that make the best memories.

    Thanks so much for sharing and for joining the Blog Hop! xo

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  3. Yet another keeper. Could he call hubby about Christmas trees? Okay I have a nine footer in the cathedral window of our bedroom (not a normal bedroom, folks) but I have a hard time decorating (which I do anyway), as he thinks it's not necessary... Better to be outside in the snow. :)

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  4. The more details you slip about your hubs, the more I adore him. What a keeper you've got!! Such a sweet story :-)

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  5. What an incredibly thoughtful and perfect gift! What a great guy.

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  6. you are both sweet, even though you were young you did not crack under the pressure of being broke instead you both did things to make it work, that is awesome.

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  7. Awww! My hubby and I were too poor for ornaments our first Christmas too, so we made them out of salt dough. They all molded before the next Christmas. Your guy had a better idea. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  8. Hi,

    Oh what a lovely guy: you did well there! ;)

    Fantastic story worthy of creeping into a novel somewhere along the way.

    best
    F

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  9. This is such a lovely story. I love to hear of the things people do when it comes from their heart, not their wallet. Those are the things that matter the most. :)

    Donna Cummings

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  10. Nice and you have keepsakes for all the years! Good Christmas story.

    Monti
    NotesAlongTheWay

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  11. That is a great story and one to tell each holiday! Thanks for sharing!

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