A Creative Anniversary Surprise
A few years ago, my husband and I downsized from our house into a condominium and were adapting to high-rise living.
Our wedding anniversary was just weeks away when my husband told me we’d have to postpone the celebrations – he’d learned he had to go on a business trip. And though I understood the demands of his job, I was disappointed because my husband and I usually marked the occasion with a grand dinner out, or a weekend away.
Another tradition we’d have to miss was beginning our anniversary with silly endearments for each other. Just for laughs. Some nicknames were cliché, like ‘pumpkin’ and ‘honey bun’, while others were more unusual. Our anniversary mornings would have almost certainly begun with a “Good morning (insert pet name here).”
Quiet start
That anniversary morning started off slowly, without best wishes or amusing nicknames. I wasn’t even sure my husband would be able to call. I had a quiet breakfast, occasionally hearing other couples and families passing our door and continuing down the hall.
Then came the knock. I opened the front door cautiously. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and we hadn’t met the neighbours yet. A beautiful bouquet of red roses, held out by a delivery man, instantly caught my eye.
“I have flowers for you –” he said confusedly, while peering at the delivery slip “– and they’re from … Chicken Feet?”
I broke into laughter at my husband’s pick for his anniversary nickname.
“Oh –” I chuckled, “those are from my husband!”
Amused and a bit befuddled, the man passed the flowers over, then paused a moment before his cheery “Goodbye”.
I smiled as I closed the door. What a lovely way to start our anniversary: with roses and a good laugh – for me, and for the delivery man.
