Well, the battle of the wallet between my husband and myself is over. I’m still not sure who won this round, ladies. It was literally about a wallet — not money. Three Father’s Days ago, I gave him a new wallet. His old one was worn out, falling apart. The leather had lost much of it’s color, and there were strings hanging from it. No “recycler” of any type would have rescued it from a garbage can. I mean, I thought it was a nice gift. Certainly no evil intent. There it sat for two years, right next to where he puts his wallet at the end of the day. Looking pristine, and very lonely.
I tried pointing out how nice the new one was. For heaven’s sake, I even wore it for weeks in my own back pocket to “break it in” for him when he told me why he “hates new wallets”. (Is he spoiled or what?) Then I tried pouting and being hurt. Neither work well in long term relationships. For the last couple of months I told him repeatedly that I was getting the feeling something “awful” was going to happen to the old wallet. No reaction from the man. Time to pull out the big guns.
When we came back from visiting our Grand daughter for the first time, I told him that she confided in me that she’s very embarrassed by the wallet her Grandpa carries. Hey, what can I say? She was very advanced at two weeks old. That got a smirking smile from him, but that was it. So one night I got out the scissors, markers and stickers. In the morning he found it colorfully drawn upon, slashed and decorated with Disney’s Little Mermaid and friends. I kid you not, he carried it for another week and a half before FINALLY relenting. But in thinking back, I believe what got through to him ultimately was my threat to throw out the new wallet. I told him what I’d paid for it, you see.
So in the marital score keeping department, I’d have to call that one pretty close to a draw. Time to think about what to get him for next Father’s Day…
This was great — I loved it — you think of everything — that many other woman have gone through — but never found a solution. My hat is off to you — even though I will not be buying men’s wallets ever again — in past I had suffered from the same kind of frustation of a new wallet never getting used.
Denise:
Glad you enjoyed the post, sorry you sound bummed. Don’t sell yourself short. There will be men’s wallets to buy in the future, if that’s what you decide you want. Today is more often than not NOT a good predictor of tomorrow. Hope can spring eternal. Ask Colleen!!
P.S.
Did you see blog post “Life After Divorce” dated 6/25. It’s about someone you know very well…………