As most of you know, this weekend marked David's 50th birthday. He did not want a big deal made of it, so, you know, that circus I had hired for the backyard had to be canceled. But I wanted to do something, something that let him know how grateful I am that he is in my life.
So I came up with 50 things that I love about him, and typed them up. I wracked my brain trying to figure out a creative way to present them to him. He LOVES lilacs, so I thought about getting him a lilac bush and hanging the little tags from the branches. But that didn't seem right. I thought about making (from scratch) 50 fortune cookies and putting one little strip of paper in each one. But that seemed like a lot of work on both ends. Finally, I had a brilliant idea.
But first I have to tell you this story: a couple that we know is in the midst of a divorce. This couple is has done dozens and dozens of self-help and marital workshops, and they speak the language. So when announcing their divorce, they said that they wanted their family to be "a loving container." Now, David and I had a good laugh about this because that phrase is so comically new-agey sounding. What the hell does that mean, anyway?? We wondered aloud: "Where would one GET a loving container? Do they sell them on ebay? Is there a lovingcontainer.com? Are there different sizes and shapes of loving containers??" We've had a lot of fun with it over the past few weeks, using it whenever we could: "Honey, I'm putting the leftovers away. Can you please hand me a loving container from that cupboard?" or "Sweetie, have you seen that loving container of blueberries I put in the fridge yesterday?"
So the day before David's birthday, I went down to an art-fest that happened to be going on, and I found a cool little ceramic pot. David loves pottery and this one is totally his style. Then I cut up all the little strips of paper listing all the things I love about him and gave it to him on Saturday morning. That's right: a real loving container.
(you can click on the photo to see it larger) The thing is? It was EASY to come up with 50 things I love about this man. I'm already looking forward to his 90th birthday.
What a GREAT idea ! I KNOW he loved that and loves you even more for it. And 90? Sounds like a beautiful life for you both !
ReplyDeleteSeriously lovely idea, and the loving container makes it perfect. I might steal this idea. Shhhh!
ReplyDeleteVery sweet!
ReplyDeleteIt truly was about the best birthday I've ever had, even though the thought of turning 50 still has me a bit dizzy. Sorry honey, I don't know about 90. By then one of the slips will be "I love that you can still wipe your own butt". (At least I hope I can.)
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ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas and sentiments..... loved it :) First of all, who couldn't love a guy who adores lilacs! The story of the loving container was great :) And the pics too! So happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteBut I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the couple who is so involved in marriage self-help and workshops deciding to divorce..... ???
Meg :)
So Sweet!
ReplyDeleteA lovely idea ! and of course he loved it... Lovely arranged photo too.. that little bit of patchworking blends in so well ! Oh yes, and Happy (belated) Birthday David !
ReplyDeleteHello there! Here's me, watching my life make another circle.
ReplyDeleteI wandered over from Dooce because I noticed you had the domain name sweet pot8to. You see, I just thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and my trail name was Sweet Potato. Just, they're my favorite food.
Then I see you read sweet:salty and sweet juniper, both blogs I follow from time to time.
I've never been to Washington state.
I can't think of anything clever to say about the phrase "loving container" but it still makes me laugh.
That was great, what a lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteCool, I hope you enjoy! The trail was one of those why-am-I-doing-this-again? experiences that you're glad you did in the end.
ReplyDeleteYou like sweet potatoes AND Bill Monroe? Perfect!