The First 40

Mindy is 5 weeks older than me and so had the privilege of being the first one to turn 40 last week. Along with that honor comes the teasing and taunting from her younger husband. It's a tradition I enjoy for 5 weeks every year and it's especially sweet at this epic life event.

My joy in rubbing it in has been tempered by the dreaded question I receive from friends and family.

"What did you do for her birthday"?

We have never been big birthday celebrators. But I in particular have muffed the basics more than once. (remember this)

I cringe every time this question is asked of me. The petitioner is hoping for descriptions of romance or images of opulent gifts. Instead they are left with my simple statement and my attempts to explain and reassure.

My ideas of a romantic weekend weren't practical since we would have a house full of visitors her birthday weekend. So I desperately searched for a gift that would convey thoughtfulness yet be fun and unique. This was of course a once in a lifetime event to turn 40.

I quickly settled on what I thought was the perfect gift. I spent hours researching and deciding just the right options for Mindy. The day after I purchased her gift and sequestered it at a friends house a colleague at work asked me the dreaded question. After I proudly described Mindy's gift they cocked their head a little and after a slight pause said "interesting".

Over the next two days as I waited for the moment Mindy would receive her gift I began to question myself. Maybe, just maybe, I was getting her the perfect gift for me.

So what did I do for Mindy's 40th Birthday?

I bought her a Mountain Bike!


She was gracious and assures me she still loves me.

But man I hate answering that question out loud.