The most wonderful gift...I never imagined.

In my previous post I discussed becoming a chef. During that post I wanted to share what I think is one of the most touching things in my life. Yes it pertains to a gift, so I don't know how touched you will be but...

It was well into our second year in the Air Force. Michael and I were in our first year in Tucson though. We were waiting for a base house. We had been on the list for a while now, but nothing was available. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment. We were really broke. He was having a hard time getting adjusted to his permanent duty station. I had panic attacks all the time. I couldn't get a job, no one would hire me. Companies don't want to invest in you so you can up and leave. The chances of a military wife having to leave are greater than others. I did what I could. I babysat and all kinds of other crap. Michael biked to work. Times were very tough. We still managed to have fun and remember a brighter future would be coming.

It started to get close to the holiday season. We both knew there would be no traditional Christmas in our household. I decided to save some money I earned doing crap jobs around the neighborhood. I managed to save enough for a shiny new drill. I was so excited. I couldn't wait to see the expression on his face when I presented it to him. I knew he had wanted one for a while. I got a craftsman cordless drill and some drill bits. I researched quality, durability, performance, replacement part availability, and cost. I choose the perfect drill. Wow, was he going to be surprised. I knew he didn't know I had been working extra. I just couldn't wait...

Christmas Eve we were lying in bed and I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I said, "I have a confession to make. I have something for you." He followed with, " I have something for you too." I was shocked. How could he have something for me? He works a full time job and the USAF frowns upon secondary employment. Plus, I would know if he had a second job. I also am in charge of all the finances and no money was missing from the checkbook. Hmmm...I wondered. There is more that follows but I get too emotional when talking about it so I'll skip the teary-eyed part.

Michael opened his drill and was totally surprised. I showed him all the features and we played around with it for a bit. Then he wanted me to open mine. He bought me a Wusthof Trident, Grand Prix chef knife. It is the Porsche of the knife world. I started bawling. It's a $130.00 chef knife. It was beautiful and incredibly thoughtful. He believed in me. He wanted me to have the best. Now I asked him why did he go and get me such an expensive item I didn't need or deserve. He said I did need it and deserve it and he wanted me to have it. I felt a little sheepish about my drill now, but that was nothing. I asked him how he got the money for it.

Excuse me, I have to go dry my eyes. Ahem, where was I. Oh yes, turns out Michael had been donating plasma on his lunch break for the past four to six months. I couldn't believe it. I was crying and telling him I am not worthy of his blood. How could he give that up for a gift for me? I can't accurately describe the way that I was feeling that day, and I don't know if I will ever be able to. It is one of the most touching things that has ever occurred in my life. It wasn't the gift that hit so hard. It was the thought, effort, and shear unadulterated love that hit me so hard.

I hope that you experience something of this magnitude in your life.