Who needs a birthday card?

Yesterday was my birthday. Steve was nice enough to buy me a beautiful new phone/pda that I wanted/needed and planned (well, I arranged the sitter) to take me to a movie and dinner this weekend. He also had helped the kids pick out 4 bouquets of flowers and cards for Mother's Day. Yet, he couldn't understand that although I appreciate the gifts etc. - that I wanted a birthday card (or handwritten note would be fine). He didn't believe me when I said that the card was more important to me than the gift. In fact, he may have chuckled at this point and made some "yeah right" comment.

It's amazing - how when he rolls his eyes or makes smartass comments, how I want to beat the snot out of him, but I'm not an abusive wife or prone to outbursts of violence. In other words, I called him an arse and walked away.

A few minutes later he asked me if I would please let him know (writing down would be preferable) what my expectations were for birthdays/mothers day etc. Apparently, 14+ years of marriage haven't taught him anything. I, of course, told him that I shouldn't have to tell him what I want. His immediate response was "Dr. Phil says that you're supposed to ask for what you want and not assume the other person can read your mind." What??? Now this is a man who laughs at people who watch Dr. Phil, so I was a little thrown off base. After a moment of stunned silence I saw the mischievous twinkle in his eye and we both started laughing. Steve then shared with me that his patients all like to watch Dr. Phil while they have their teeth worked on, so he can't help but pick up tidbits of wisdom every now and then.

I love how me makes me smile. There's hope for him yet.