From The World Of Parks & Recreation
By Doug Comer
What do you get someone for an anniversary gift? Obviously, it depends on the years of marriage. Something in silver, gold or even a diamond are some of the gifts. But, for a newlywed like myself and just into the first year of a wonderful marriage with my wife Jeovanna, what to do?
So, naturally I googled the answer and paper is the first gift you give your spouse. So, here I am a nervous wreck trying to find a form of paper to give someone who has given me her heart unconditionally. The ornery side comes out in me when trying to decide so I make comments like “a napkin to wipe our face after eating the frozen wedding cake that has been in my in-laws freezer for a year or even the wonderful gift of toilet paper for the obvious purpose.”
But, the romantic man inside finally kicks the goofy guy to the side and takes over. I was able to take my wedding vows and find a nice frame with a little inscription of how much she means to me and use that as a gift. So, for weeks I had this gift planned and schemed to perfection. No way that this gift could be topped as the words on paper told the story of how someone could take a person like me, who had many walls and was very protected, and give her love to me. And my promise that I would give my all and be the best husband that I could be. There was not a chance in the world that she could top this gift.
For those who do not know, I enjoy working in the kitchen. We watch enough shows on the Food Network and the Cooking channel that I could take my skills to the best restaurants and take on the head chef. So, our special night on March 14th began with a meal fit for my queen – Angus filet, a sweet lobster tail and cheese tortellini in a light pesto sauce. It was a perfect meal for our perfect night. And after changing our baby Costa’s diaper twice and a bottle of formula we were able to enjoy our cake.
When the gift exchange began, she wanted me to go first and as I opened my gift I found a new money clip with a laminated paper that had her wedding vows on it for me. And without saying anything, I gave her my gift and we began to laugh. That’s just how connected we are; we got each other pretty much the same thing. It is a blessing to be on the same page as the one you love with all your heart. But, I still need to find another way to show her what she means to me.
Finally, I figured it out. Writing for the News & Journal has been a privilege and the staff has been great in letting me have the freedom to write. So, this article is another gift to the person who is my rock and my life. And the best part about this is the words I type are on paper. Thank you Jeovanna for making me a better person and loving me with all your heart.