For Richer; For Poorer
About twelve years ago today, Matt and I celebrated our third Valentines weekend as a married couple. Monday was President’s Day, and a holiday from our jobs. So we balanced the checkbook, dipped into a credit card, and embarked on a weekend getaway.
We were living in North Orange County (CA) at the time, and made the long trek to South Orange County. It’s not a joke–the long trek that is. Thirty miles can take two hours if one gets stuck in the entangled freeways of the Orange Crush. We arrived at sunset and checked into our hotel that overlooked the Pacific Ocean.
Matt was apparently really excited about the view. I vaguely remember him asking me if the glass door to the balcony was really clean, or if it was opened. He later found out it was just really clean as he tried to walk through it. Thankfully, no concussion to spoil our romantic weekend, but a great memory none-the-less. If I ever need a laugh, I just picture that scene.
We enjoyed a fabulous dinner and then walked around a hoity-toity, Southern California mall. We came upon a jewelry store selling 14 carat-gold, diamond heart-pendant necklaces. I could see the sparkle in Matt’s eye.
“I want to get this for you,” he said.
“It’s beautiful, but I don’t know. It’s $99 plus tax. Um, I just don’t know. It is beautiful though”
One thing led to another, and a pushy salesman too, and soon my neck adorned a special Valentine’s treat. We walked through the mall hand-in-hand while I smiled and admired this thing of beauty around my neck.
Tuesday morning came way too quickly. We were back to work and back to life. I opened our checkbook to enter our weekend purchases, and that’s when cold, sheer panic set in. I had made a mistake. A BIG one. A subtraction error most likely. We had less than $20. Pay-day was not until Friday. There were bills to pay, groceries to buy, and cars that needed gas. And there was this necklace sparkling beneath me.
I called Matt and admitted this gross error in our finances. I told him we should take the necklace back. He insisted we shouldn’t. He assured me we would be okay.
We were.
Today is our 15th Valentines Day. I still have the necklace. Some Valentine’s Days have been richer than others. And $99 doesn’t seem as much as it did 12 years ago. I have never thought of that necklace as a mistake, or a frivolous purchase. Perhaps poor timing and a mathematical error. And maybe, just maybe, God’s gift for a financially struggling, deeply in love, young- married couple.
A blessing, indeed.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Honey! Here’s to many more—richer or poorer.
Such a sweet story. I didn’t remember this story at all. Thanks for sharing this story again.
Love, MOM
He remains a very special man in our eyes who knew what a special, beautiful young lady he had captivated with his charm and continues to do so. You are an awesome example to your 2 beautiful girls of the the true meaning of love and caring for each other.
Hope the 2 of you have a very special Valentine’s Day.