Invest in yourself...

For about two years I have been dropping hints to my husband Charlie.
“Can you believe I’m going to be forty?” I would ask him.
“Yeah, in about two years.” He would mumble trying to be supportive.
“You only turn 40 once you know.” I would reply.
“I realize that,” and then he would try to change the subject. “Boy, the sky sure is blue.”
“I wonder what color the sky will be on 40th birthday.”

You get the point … I love to celebrate holidays and birthdays, especially mine. One year, when I was a kid, my mom bought a Grasshopper Pie from Baskin Robbins. It was such a great idea, one that I suggested years before and every year leading up to the magical Grasshopper Pie birthday when she finally figure out that I really wanted that really yummy mint green chocolate chip ice cream pie. And ever since, I’ve made sure that we have Grasshopper Pie on my birthday, even if I have to go buy the darn pie myself. I’m not beneath doing that, you know! Birthdays are special events.

So getting back to turning forty, Charlie finally asked what kind of party I wanted to have. “Do you want a surprise party?” He asked not realizing that it would give away the surprise.
“Nah,” I respond way too quickly, “I just want to have a romantic meal with you on my very special day.” I knew exactly what I wanted.
“Cool, I can do that.”
About a week ago, however, the whole world changed. The Cardinals won and now they were going to go to the Super Bowl on my very special day.

“So honey,” Charlie said as if he had done something really wrong, “the restaurant for our really romantic dinner on you birthday is closed.”
“Hmm, really?” I asked unconvinced.
“Yeah, how strange is that?” Charlie seems somewhat sincere. “They must be really religious or something.”
“We’re going to Binkley’s right?” I scratch my head in confusion. “The one in Cave Creek with the awesome tasting menu and wine pairing? Yeah, they don’t strike me as the religious type.”
“Okay, okay, you busted me!” Charlie finally confesses. “You’re birthday is the same day as the Super Bowl and we just have to watch the game. I’m sorry.” He’s totally flustered at this point.
“That’s okay,” I say and it really is, because I have a pocket full of sunshine … I made sure to buy myself a present just in case things got a little bit squirrely. And this year, it’s not a Grasshopper Pie. No, I decided to go for the big gift, the gift I have always wanted. For a peak, check out this link:

http://www.maggiemcdonaldphotography.com/slideshows/EnochsFam/

But, you might want to hear the rest of the story. Charlie came through in a big way. We went to Binkley’s and had that very romantic meal. Then he pulled out a little blue box. Inside that blue box were earrings. Not just any kind of earrings, but little heart shaped earrings. Yes, romantic, but they have a very significant meaning.

See, I just published my first book and I’ve been asking Charlie for his approval. The book is really an autobiography that I fictionalized with daydreams, which has him a little bit nervous. He’s not sure it’s a good idea to tell our family secrets. I suppose he is right, but I did it anyway. If I have to buy my own pie, well, then that’s what I’m going to do. And, that’s exactly what I did do …I self-published, which means, I, um, we paid for the editorial, publishing, and advertising services. It’s kind of like coming home with a new car without having your spouse’s best wishes hoping he’ll grow to like the idea.

“They remind me of you.” He says as I open the blue box. “Everything you do has your heart in it like your workout video and new book and our family. I love your big heart.”

I think he’s warming up to the idea and I can’t be happier. He gave me really beautiful earrings, but more significant, was the idea that he knows that my projects come from love.

It’s hard expressing love, especially when it’s for myself. There were many times when I felt guilty for spending money on my projects, even though, I was hoping that they would help others as well. Was it worth buying my own pie and getting my projects done? YES! It means even more, however, that my husband is on board with me.

P.S. Binkley's is really closed on Sundays!children.