By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Celebrating 31 years of blessed bliss with Mr. Kaminski.
I’m not really sure how this has happened, but this week I have been married to Mr. Kaminski for 31 years. Hard to figure since I’m only 29-years-old. I know this because every birthday my precious son tells me, “Happy 29th birthday, Momma.” And that sweet baby doesn’t lie.
To mark the momentous occasion, I asked Mr. Kaminski what he would like for our anniversary. His reply? “A fence.”
“Really,” I retorted. “That’s romantic and meaningful.”
“Exactly,” he replied. “Privacy, security, long-lasting, solid – extremely thoughtful and romantic.”
My response was the biggest eye roll I could manage while still staying upright. I had already purchased Mr. Kaminski a storage building for Christmas. His wish, not mine. But actually, that has worked out pretty well for me as I tend to keep filling it up – with my things. I’ll mark that as a win.
After his utilitarian gift request, I naturally I looked up what the traditional gift for 31 years of marriage might be. The answer? Timepieces. Apparently watches and clocks are symbolic of all the time a couple has spent together nurturing their relationship and building a strong bond that lasts for decades. I get that; I just don’t like it.
Why in the world would I want a gift that marks the swift and consistent passage of the one thing I don’t want to move so fast? It’s a hard no for me. Plus, I have watches. The vast majority of the duration of me wearing a watch, the actual time of day reflected on said timepieces is incorrect. I don’t wear them for accuracy or information. I wear them because they are pretty.
Not one to leave anything undone, I devised a plan to revisit the anniversary gift-giving conversation with Mr. Kaminski. I knew we were headed out of town. According to Mr. Kaminski, the impromptu trip was to celebrate our anniversary. It was actually a conference he was attending at a resort that he booked on the day of our anniversary. Always the same day for 31 years – doesn’t change like leap year Februarys. Yes, our big day was the byproduct of a business trip, so I did what any amazing wife would do: I helped him out. I booked a full spa day at the resort and bought brand new resort apparel. Considerate and helpful, I know.
“So, what am I getting for our anniversary?” I queried.
“Well, we’re going on a trip,” he replied.
“We’re going on your business trip where you will be in conferences for two days,” was my succinct response. “How is that for me?”
“Well, what do you want?” he tentatively inquired. I couldn’t tell if his heart wasn’t in it or if he was genuinely afraid of the answer. It’s probably the latter. Of course, he was unaware of the spa booking and the wardrobe purchasing. As far as I was concerned, he was on a need-to-know basis regarding this extemporized “anniversary” – actually business – trip.
“Guess I’ll have to give that some thought,” I nebulously replied.
His smile was tentative at best. Yep, he’s worried. But after 31 years, I’ve got to keep him on his toes. More fun that way.
Happy Anniversary Mr. Kaminski. Same bat time, same bat channel – every year. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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