The Puzzling "Surprise"

Take One
This morning Will and I stopped in at a few garage sales not to far from our home. I found the most perfect gift for Steve. A vintage set of 8 aluminum glasses in assorted colors and a matching picture. I was amazed to stumble upon them and at such a great price.

During our trip to the coast in late December I heard the boys (Steve and his brothers) reminiscing over the aluminum glasses they'd had as children. Apparently each of them was assigned a color glass and that was the only one they could use.

I've seen one glass every now and then at sales or antique stores. But I've never seen an entire set, and for only $5! I was tickled to find something that would give him back a small bit of his childhood. Plus, a few indestructible glasses in our house would be welcome.

So we get home and I walk into the house with them hiding behind my back. I tell him we found him a surprise. Will is so excited he's jumping up and down. I whip out the glasses and the most puzzled look comes over Steve's face.

"Aluminum glasses," I announce. Like he hasn't figured that out already.

"Just like the one's ya'll had as kids." Still no sign of recognition, much less any joy or glee.

"I heard you talking about having one colored glass each while we were at the coast and I thought you'd enjoy having these."

Enlightenment, finally. Then a complete face dive.

"That was Mark," he tells me. "I don't remember ever drinking out of them at all."

Bummer.

At least Will has cool aluminum glasses to drink from.

Take Two
Steve ran to the grocery store to pick up something to grill. An hour or so after he gets home he announces he picked me up something while he was out. I was thinking desert. Every weekend I remind him I need desert at least once during the weekend. Every week he forgets.

"I found some Henry Weinhard's Root Beer," he tells me with real excitement.

After seeing the look of puzzlement on my face, he continues. "Don't you remember when we were at ??? and had the Henry Weinhard's Rootbeer?"

My mind is frantically trying to recall a specific time we had it while up North. "I can recall having it before. But I don't remember anything special regarding it."

"Oh."

We shared a depreciating grin.

"Well," I suggest. "Why don't we pour some of your root beer in my aluminum glasses and have it with dinner tonight?"

It's not so much the gift or the surprise, as it is having someone who cares enough to try. I love you, babe. Root beer and all.