Dec 1, 2008

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby.

I'm sure that my wife will be back tomorrow to tell you all how fast our arteries clogged at this year's "Day of Thanks Feast of Champions." But I thought she ought to take the day off since it's her birthday.

And if there's one thing I've learned in all our years together, it's that the woman takes her birthday seriously. Very very seriously.

For instance, there was the one year that I gave her a surprise party at her favorite sushi restaurant the same day she got hair extensions. And she cried the whole way home because she had yet to adjust to her "new look" before all her friends saw her. That was a nice night.

Or then there was the year that I bought her the tennis shoes she'd been wanting but she found them 2 weeks before her birthday and therefore made me get her something else on the day of. But in her defense I did leave them in the Nike box, laying on the kitchen counter, with the price tag on them. So by all standards it wasn't a really great surprise.

After about ten years of marriage I figured that Melissa only liked birthdays that pulled out all the stops. So one year I kidnapped her from work, had packed her bags for her and flew her to see an Amy Grant Christmas musical in D.C. - even got her backstage to meet Amy. I was a king that year. Heck, I was a king that night. (There's some male humor for ya.)

But I can honestly say I found the key to my best friends heart about four years ago.
Thankfully she isn't the kind of woman that has to be flown around the country to meet famous people. She doesn't require the nicest footwear or fancy nights out on the town. If you want to know the key to her heart, here's what you do:

1. Take her to Chik-fil-A. Don't ask her, "Do you want the number one?" Just say, "What would you like?" And let her get whatever, and as much, as she wants.

2. Help her stuff it all in her purse. Even the 14 packages of barbecue sauce and the large Diet Coke. Don't lose your temper when she spills half of it.

3. Take her to the movie she's been dying to see.

4. Spread your Chik-fil-A out once the movie starts. Let her use your lap for all her sauce, and napkins and nuggets.

5. About one hour into the movie she will ask for popcorn. Just say, "absolutely."

6. When the movie is over she will look at you and tell you that it was the best birthday ever. And she'll mean it. And it only cost about $30.

I don't know about you, but that's my kind of woman.

I love her. And I hope she has a Happy 21st Birthday.

- The Attorney General


39 comments:

Lacey in the Sky said...

Gah, your wife is my hero. Lovely post AG!

Happy 21st Melissa ;)

Givinya De Elba said...

Mr Attorney-General, you're great.

You know what your wife loves, and you let her have just that. No wonder she loves you so much.

If you wrote a book about how to do what you do, and if all men read it, the world would be a much happier place.

Amy said...

Happy Birthday Melissa! BTW, where did you fing that man? He is just as funny as you are!

Be Blessed,

Amy (Honestly)

Shelley said...

Hey Attorney General,

You are rockin' man.

Melissa, happy 21st birthday. You are one lucky girl to have the AG, girlfriend.

BTW, I knew today was special, my son turns 13 today, as well.

Blessings to both of you and your sweet babies today.

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday!!!
Randi

Sissy said...

Happy Birthday! What a nice post by the AG, and it proves he knows you well. A man that really gets us is really hard to find.

Rhonda said...

I honestly don't know which of you I love more at this moment.... lol

Happy birthday, my friend!

Great post!

Anonymous said...

So Sweet!

Happy Birthday Melissa, you don't look a day over 21!

And if only all the other men out there would figure out that alot of times it's the small simple things that can really mean a whole heck of a lot!!!

Laura Marchant said...

Happy Birthday!
Great post...made me giggle.

Alicia (dna) said...

I hope you have an incredible birthday!!! Today...it's all about you!

Sharon's Journey said...

Huh, I thought it was Melba's birthday! Go figure.

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Misha.. I think that people on here might really be buying that you're 21. :)

I love you and I hope you have a wonderful day!! Grab the AG, leave the kids w/Noni and go to a matinee.

Bree Shaw said...

Happy Birthday Melissa! Hope your Thanksgiving meal went great. Excited to hear what y'all had.

must not be blank said...

Melissa,I hope you have a great birthday!
Attorney General--you sound like a great husband who really has a clue about how to make his wife happy. You two are so blessed!

Joie said...

Here's to Melissa on here birthday,
Happy "21st" Birthhday! Enjoy your day, your movie, your Chic- Fil-A, and your hubby!

Amy said...

Great post! She is lucky to have you, you are lucky to have her and you are both too funny!

Kori said...

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Tracy P. said...

Happy Birthday, Melissa! You two are such a testimony to a great God with the best sense of humor ever!

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

Happy Birthday Melissa!! And great job AG!!

Melissa said...

I hope this is the best birthday ever. Get a babysitter and go see a really good chick flick. I recommend Twilight, but only if you've read the book. I found it to be very romantic.

Happy Happy Birthday, Sista Melissa:)
Love ya!

Summer said...

Happy BIrthday! We share the same birthday!!! ;-)

Anonymous said...

I know you guys had a great Thanksgiving. How you could not with your parents, Melba and Donald, their kids, and your kids all in attendance.

Hope you have a great birthday, Melissa.

David: You're one of a kind. A real treasure.

Love to all of you,

Sharon

katy said...

HAPPY BIRHTDAY! What a sweet post by your hubby...I'm loving it!

Karol said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day with that wonderful hubby of yours!!

Unknown said...

May you enjoy your chicken, popcorn AND your husband!! He's a keeper!!

Happy Happy Birthday!!!

Shawn said...

Happy Birthday!
~H

Lynda said...

I'm thinking with this post, you might get to be king tonight, too!

Sumer said...

Happy Birthday! You make 29look good!

Ashley said...

So sweet.. and sounds like the perfect birthday to me! Happy 21st Birthday!!

Aja Jenise said...

Ah aren't you the sweetheart! Melissa... sounds familiar. Isn't it a riot that they try to fiure out what makes up tick, turn on and off, what winds us up... and yet, we don't even know half the time. its just those times when they get it right... its like we/you both hit the jackpot... of love!! Enjoy your 21st... make it more memorable than the last!!

ugagirl30 said...

And to think that I am happy when my husband acknowledges my birthday. Humph!

Leighann said...

Happy Birthday, Melissa.

Trish said...

Happy Birthday Melissa!!

AG, I will never ever again believe any of the mean stuff she says about you. You are top notch!

And again, I say, Happy Birthday Melissa!

Britt said...

Happy Birthday Melissa!!! You have one heck of an AG there!!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Lynda beat me to it! Happy Birthday, Melissa. Love the photo of you two.

Joan (usually a lurker who really is blessed by your blog)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!


Christi

Crazy Life of the McNeill's said...

Happy Birthday!!

The Beauty Bargainista said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Im sorry Im so late, its been a LONG couple of weeks over here, and like you, I lived through a southern fried thanksgiving! hehehe Oh, P.S., isnt your husband the best? Gosh, I cant wait to meet a man that will take me to chick-fil-a AND get me popcorn!

Anonymous said...

That was awesome.