The Year of the Leather Gift

When we got engaged, the MIL gave me a bag in my Vera pattern overflowing with engagment type things: thank you cards, bridal magazines, planners, and a book titled, The Meaning of Wedding Anniversaries. Love of My Life and I have tried to give the traditional gifts as outlined in the book. Year one was paper. "The fragile, transitory symbol of paper represents the delicate nature of a new relationship." Cheesy, I know, but there's something to be said about traditions. I gave LOML this awesome "hunter's journal" thing and he broke the rules and gave me black pearl earrings with diamond drops. That set the tone for how LOML does things. Year two was cotton. "A second anniversary, like cotton thread tied around one's finger is a reminder to recall the wedding vows and to reflect upon a maturing marriage." We laughed until we cried as we each gave eachother new bathrobes without knowing that was the others' gift! And year three is leather. "Leather is symbolic of protection or covering." I picked out two new belts for the husband, along with a new pair of Rainbows. A bit boring, but perfectly in keeping with those traditional guidelines. Although I asked for some chaps or a bomber jacket, this is what I got (and yes, I'm kidding about the chaps...and the jacket):



My heart skipped a beat when I saw the tissue paper with the lightly printed Coach emblem. Another heartbeat later, I uncovered the black beauty. Yup, he did real good this year. Now I'm ready for year 65...diamonds. Only 61 years and 364 days to go.