What I really want for Christmas
So after the Christmas List post last year, Ricky tore the apartment apart and found my secret list, and then proceeded to buy a bunch of things off of it. Of course, when the very first thing I opened was something I had actually asked for, I called him out, and he fessed up immediately. We both had a good laugh, and I put The List to bed, assuming that, in the future, Ricky would now pay attention when I lob big fat softballs at him all year long about what I need or would like.
And so this year, Ricky has been extraordinarily snarky about my gifts, constantly saying things like, "Oh yeah, I nailed it this year. All of your gifts are awesome. I am the MAN." This wouldn't normally irritate me excpet that this year, I am a hot Christmass mess. My shopping is usually done by mid-November, with the gifts wrapped and under the tree by December 1st. This year, between money issues, the cats being sick and working on Mom & Dad's place, I am sitting at my computer three days before Chrsitmas staring at a shopping list with a disturbing number of blank spaces on it, the biggest one being next to Ricky's name. So of course, he is irritating the ever-loving shit out of me.
However, Ricky being the Ricky that he is, he can't leave well enough alone. So last night, he started laying into me about my phone, and how much it sucks. We have this argument on almost a weekly basis, and it usually ends with me stating firmly that I don't give a shit about my phone; as long as I can do basic things on it it's fine and I am not buying a new one. I also usually reiterate that what I really need is a decent laptop, so that I can work on my website, wedding ceremonies, etc. and that I plan to purchase one as soon as I have enough money to do so. Last night, however, he wouldn't let it go. He kept hammering away about how I need a new phone for my business, and I could do so much more on it and why do you need a laptop and yadda yadda yadda so that finally, exasperated, I screamed, "Enough already! I don't give a fuck about new phones! Let it go already! I fucking hate phones! I need a laptop! I've told you this a thousand times before!"
Ricky looked shocked, then panicked.
I sighed, realizing what had happened.
Me (gently): Ricky, did you buy me a phone?
Ricky (in a tiny voice): Nooooo.
And as I looked at my poor, devastated husband, I realized that it didn't matter that he still doesn't pay attention to anything I say when it comes to Christmas. He assumes that things that make him happy (like his super-fancy phone) are things that would make me happy. And suddenly, I understood that his happiness was more important to me than anything. And so I said the only thing I could think of.
Me: Oh, well that's too bad. Because my phone really does suck. And have you seen that Galaxy Note? That thing is AWESOME. I only hope it's available for my carrier."
And as he brightened up and starting talking about wireless providers, I quietly closed the window on my computer.
The one showing the much-needed laptop, on sale.
Because the gift I really needed more than anything was to see Ricky smile. And I'd already gotten it.
Merry Christmas, all.
And so this year, Ricky has been extraordinarily snarky about my gifts, constantly saying things like, "Oh yeah, I nailed it this year. All of your gifts are awesome. I am the MAN." This wouldn't normally irritate me excpet that this year, I am a hot Christmass mess. My shopping is usually done by mid-November, with the gifts wrapped and under the tree by December 1st. This year, between money issues, the cats being sick and working on Mom & Dad's place, I am sitting at my computer three days before Chrsitmas staring at a shopping list with a disturbing number of blank spaces on it, the biggest one being next to Ricky's name. So of course, he is irritating the ever-loving shit out of me.
However, Ricky being the Ricky that he is, he can't leave well enough alone. So last night, he started laying into me about my phone, and how much it sucks. We have this argument on almost a weekly basis, and it usually ends with me stating firmly that I don't give a shit about my phone; as long as I can do basic things on it it's fine and I am not buying a new one. I also usually reiterate that what I really need is a decent laptop, so that I can work on my website, wedding ceremonies, etc. and that I plan to purchase one as soon as I have enough money to do so. Last night, however, he wouldn't let it go. He kept hammering away about how I need a new phone for my business, and I could do so much more on it and why do you need a laptop and yadda yadda yadda so that finally, exasperated, I screamed, "Enough already! I don't give a fuck about new phones! Let it go already! I fucking hate phones! I need a laptop! I've told you this a thousand times before!"
Ricky looked shocked, then panicked.
I sighed, realizing what had happened.
Me (gently): Ricky, did you buy me a phone?
Ricky (in a tiny voice): Nooooo.
And as I looked at my poor, devastated husband, I realized that it didn't matter that he still doesn't pay attention to anything I say when it comes to Christmas. He assumes that things that make him happy (like his super-fancy phone) are things that would make me happy. And suddenly, I understood that his happiness was more important to me than anything. And so I said the only thing I could think of.
Me: Oh, well that's too bad. Because my phone really does suck. And have you seen that Galaxy Note? That thing is AWESOME. I only hope it's available for my carrier."
And as he brightened up and starting talking about wireless providers, I quietly closed the window on my computer.
The one showing the much-needed laptop, on sale.
Because the gift I really needed more than anything was to see Ricky smile. And I'd already gotten it.
Merry Christmas, all.