My husband usually leaves the analytical part of our gift-getting decisions to me. Perhaps by incredible coincidence or an excellent family planning on our parent’s part, 5 birthdays would be happening in our families this April!

This morning, he popped his head into the room asking, “Which one are we going with, Honey?”

“Come see this one,” I beckoned “Tabitha would love this dinner set!”
Tabitha was the youngest of his siblings, a classy girl with an eye for lovely tableware. Her wedding was right after her birthday. I could already imagine her excitement with the dinner set I had spotted on the TZW website.

My husband came over, bent towards the tablet and pretended to study the pictures. I knew it was pretence because soon my eyes held more fascination than the decisions we had to make.

He took off my glasses and leaned close.

“Baby, look at the pictures,” I pleaded.

“How can I?” he asked gently. As if we had all the time in the world. These birthdays would soon be upon us. We had to place orders. TZW needs at least two days to get them to us, unless we’d rather get to Herbert Macaulay and shop physically.

“We gotta choose quickly,” I tried again. My own resolve was fast depleting. His gaze was the intent. Even teasing.

“You’re beautiful, you know? April really suits you.”

“April has 5 birthdays!” I replied.

“Shush. The weather is really beautiful this morning. I like that it’s raining.”

“And?”

“We should only be seeing our spouse’s eyes.”

“Oh yeah?” I was giggling now. I suppose April and the weather and my eyes will make sense later. But after being married 11 years, my husband’s antics still hit their mark. And . . . I can’t complain.

May God bless our marriages with beauty.