Would this upset you?

[Vela]

Well really it's not his fault that the flowers were late, most people procrastinate gift buying so really that's not something to be offended about, he did put a card in your purse, and he did buy you some nice gifts when he was able to go get them. I think you should be grateful your husband does those things at all, most don't, and if he didn't drive before and that was okay with you, it's not something you can get mad about now. I know this may not be the popular thing to say, but I think it's nice he even remembered....many don't try at ALL.

[moosmom]

LH,

Don't sweat the small stuff, there are enough major problems that come with life. No need to create more.

AMEN brother!!!

[IRescue452]

He sent you flowers and remembered your birthday, to me that would be great. My mom used to forget my birthday when I was a kid. I'd cry myself to sleep thinking about how much my mom doesn't care about me. So anything to me is better than nothing.
But it sounds like your being upset is more because of a slump in your relationship than about the presents.

[mugsy]

Interestingly enough, I think that he was nice enough to get you some nice gifts, but, my husband thinks you have the right to be upset! lol

We have agreed that we don't buy gifts because we are strapped for money and I don't want to feel guilty about spending or receiving. My birthday is on Thursday of this week and Mike agreed to take a class with me, so that's my present and it will cost us $18. My thought is that I am happy just being able to spend time together with him and the dogs.

And like Lady's Human, I say, don't sweat the small stuff and while my husband can irritate the snot out of me, I have come to the conclusion that getting upset over "stupid" stuff just isn't worth it...and not worth fighting or putting my marriage in jeopardy.

And it is true that most men are not as sentimental as women. Although, Mike remembers the day we met...not just the first date....

[lizbud]

Well, I don't know your husband, but I do reject the idea that all men
are like that, so just deal with it. I would be hurt if that were my husband. It's all of matter of consideration & knowing how much some things
mean to the person they love.They live together, they should know each
others feelings on what's important to their other half. Just my opinion.

[Lobodeb]

Thanks for your comments everyone.

First of all, yes, we are having problems so this could be the tip of the iceburg. Second of all, this isn't about the amount he spent on gifts, but the thought behind them. Third, in the past, he's always been very thoughtful about birthdays, mom's day, valentine's day even easter! He once got mad at me because I didn't wish him a happy Sweetest Day! I never even heard of the day before then.

[catnapper]

My birthday this year? I got a free meal at our favorite restaurant.... and I paid for HIS meal! I didn't get a card. I did get a silly birthday serenade in the morning. Then that was it. His birthday is 10 days after mine so he basically got the same thing that he gave me. Of course our finances are pretty awful right now so there's not much we CAN give each other, but even when we did have some cash in the bank, birthdays, anniversaries, etc were all alike. At Christmas he runs out and gets me the same thing: a new Charles Dickens house for my collection and maybe something else... like last year I wanted a jacket that was on sale. I handed him a slip of paper with the size, color, and location of it in the store. I was soooo surprised when I opened it and it was actually what I'd asked for~ ROTFL

I didn't vote because I wouldn't be upset, but I don't think you're being a diva.

[Dorothy39]

Me and My husbands Birthday are one day apart, so, there's no way he can't remember mine, and , vise versa.

However, If I were to even "think" that he might buy me a card, and then get upset , because he didn't, well, we wouldn't have made it this far!!!!

He is like most men, not wired to think of important dates, but his Heart and Soul is always there for me every single day of the year.


Life is too short, and sooner or later, Birthdays become a blur of smokey candles.

[sparks19]

You are upset because he didn't get you material things? Honestly I wouldn't care if I didn't get anything. I am slightly disturbed by the way you talk about him in your post.

Basically my way of thinking is.... If I expect something from my husband, I WILL TELL HIM. They aren't mind readers. I know my husband has no idea what to get me. I could tell he was a little anxious about christmas this year and what to get me so I offered to give him a Christmas list. Nothing wrong with that, I just understand him and how he is. doesn't mean he loves me any less. I know a lot of women think "well I shouldn't have to tell him what I want he should just know" How is that logical. If your husband got angry at you because you moved something or threw something away you would be upset that he was being so unreasonable. I mean, how are you to know he might need that one day. the same goes for men. You can't be angry at him for not KNOWING what you wanted if you didn't say anything to him about it. it sounds like he works hard as well.

cut him some slack. Material things should not be this important to anyone. To me it is not worth starting a fight with my spouse over something like that. next time tell him what you would like, if he still does nothing then you have every right to be upset, but for now I think you are over reacting. this obviously is not just about the birthday thing though as your words about him are dripping with disdain.

Great post K9Soul. it really is the little things that matter. The little things you will never find with anyone else.

[Prairie Purrs]

I get the impression that a lot of what's bothering Lobodeb isn't so much whether he did "enough" for this particular birthday, but what he did (or didn't do) for her birthday this year as compared to what he's done in the past. And yes, if I were with someone who used to make a big deal about my birthday and is now making lame excuses for why he couldn't get me anything, I'd wonder what his problem was.

I think that how a significant other treats you at birthdays and other holidays can give you some indication of where you stand with him or her. If your SO is extravagant when buying for himself and cheap when buying something for you, that's not a good sign. If she tosses a tantrum if you forget the anniversary of when you first met, but she can never be bothered to remember your birthday, that's a warning. While my ex-husband and I were dating, he insisted two years in a row on celebrating his birthday by going to lunch with his ex-wife. I definitely should have read that sign!

On the other hand, if you have a generally wonderful SO who doesn't give a flying toot about material things and can't even remember his own birthday, then his failure to make a big deal about your birthday wouldn't be worth fussing about.

[Catty1]

I have NEVER heard her and her fiancee say they love each other or even say thank you, or anything nice to each other.

And they're getting MARRIED???

Tell her how much money she'll save on a lawyer if she breaks with him NOW!

[sparks19]

And they're getting MARRIED???

Tell her how much money she'll save on a lawyer if she breaks with him NOW!

PFFT he's the one thats gonna get screwed when they get divorced lol. She is spiteful like that and will take him for everything he's worth. but yes it's a scary thought that they are getting married and this is how they behave towards each other lol.

Catsindenver, you bring up a good point. I didn't get that from the post so I didn't think about that. if he did in fact make an effort before why has he suddenly stopped. What I got from the post is that he has never really put out much of an effort on holidays.

however, I do disagree with you on one point.

I think that how a significant other treats you at birthdays and other holidays can give you some indication of where you stand with him or her.

I think how a SO treats every single DAY is an indication on where you stand with them. If they only put out the effort on special occassions then isn't the gesture a little.... empty? I would rather him forget about my birthday and make his feelings towards me abundantly clear the rest of the year Then have a big deal made of my birthday just so he has a bye for the rest of the year and doesn't have to show how he feels until next year.

[Cataholic]

I get the impression that a lot of what's bothering Lobodeb isn't so much whether he did "enough" for this particular birthday, but what he did (or didn't do) for her birthday this year as compared to what he's done in the past. And yes, if I were with someone who used to make a big deal about my birthday and is now making lame excuses for why he couldn't get me anything, I'd wonder what his problem was.

I think that how a significant other treats you at birthdays and other holidays can give you some indication of where you stand with him or her. If your SO is extravagant when buying for himself and cheap when buying something for you, that's not a good sign. If she tosses a tantrum if you forget the anniversary of when you first met, but she can never be bothered to remember your birthday, that's a warning. While my ex-husband and I were dating, he insisted two years in a row on celebrating his birthday by going to lunch with his ex-wife. I definitely should have read that sign!

On the other hand, if you have a generally wonderful SO who doesn't give a flying toot about material things and can't even remember his own birthday, then his failure to make a big deal about your birthday wouldn't be worth fussing about.

CID- you surely stated it much better than I, and I can tell I touched a nerve in several of you. For those of you that responded to my post, it is obvious you have a wonderful person whose worth isn't measured in one day's activity, etc. Nor, does it appear that the relationship is one-sided, especially yours, Glacier. You have a relationship that sounds nearly perfect.

What the OP was complaining about though, isn't what most of us were responding to. It sounds as if her husband isn't very receptive to her feelings, not very respectful of her feelings. And, that isn't right. If a particular day, event, moment, whatever is important to her- it is important to her. If a certain behaviour is important to her- it is important to her.

Frankly, when one party 'used to do' something, and then there is a change, this situation needs to be addressed, less it develop into a serious matter.

[Glacier]

Nor, does it appear that the relationship is one-sided, especially yours, Glacier. You have a relationship that sounds nearly perfect.

Oh, I wouldn't go that far! It's a good relationship and we've figured out what works for us to keep it that way, but it's far from perfect. Stuart lives with severe chronic pain. Some days that makes him less than fun to live with! I have no doubt that he wonders why he married me sometimes too!

I had really good relationship role models. My parents have been married for over 36 years. Things have not always been easy, smooth or even happy for them, but they've stuck it out, held on to why they got together in the first place. They maintain their own interests and friends, but are still each other's best friend. I want in my marriage what they have.

[CathyBogart]

Honestly, while I might be a little miffed, I think I would get over it pretty quickly in light of the cad and the flowers. He was thinking of you, he remembered the day, and if he didn't try to go shopping until the day of...well...it happens to the best of us sometimes.

The fact that he specifically apologized for it says to me that he knew he messed up and he felt bad about it. I know I've procrastinated on important dates before, I'll bet most of us have.