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Kind of disappointed. :/

Hey all, a bit of background...my DH and I are the adventurous types. Going on spontaneous roadtrips and usually doing lots of exciting stuff for birthdays etc. (For example for DH's last birthday I took him on a hot air balloon, and for mine he took me on a sunset kayak tour). Fun stuff!

My birthday just passed a week ago, and well.... we did pretty much nothing! I mean, we went out to brunch, and grilled up some burgers for dinner but he didn't plan ANYTHING. What's worse, is I didn't even get a card. Cards mean a lot to me, and more than a material gift all I wanted was to get a card and maybe have some kind of adventure. 

He's been working like crazy lately, so I get that maybe he didn't have time to plan, but I just felt like there wasn't even an excuse, like "hey I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to plan anything cause I've been so busy, but I'll make it up to you soon". It just came and went. My feelings are a bit hurt, but I don't want to come off as some immature 5 year old who needs a big fat birthday celebration all the time. I don't know if I should say anything. Do you think I should just forget about it? 
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Re: Kind of disappointed. :/

  • GilliCGilliC member
    Ancient Membership 5000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer

    Hey all, a bit of background...my DH and I are the adventurous types. Going on spontaneous roadtrips and usually doing lots of exciting stuff for birthdays etc. (For example for DH's last birthday I took him on a hot air balloon, and for mine he took me on a sunset kayak tour). Fun stuff!


    My birthday just passed a week ago, and well.... we did pretty much nothing! I mean, we went out to brunch, and grilled up some burgers for dinner but he didn't plan ANYTHING. What's worse, is I didn't even get a card. Cards mean a lot to me, and more than a material gift all I wanted was to get a card and maybe have some kind of adventure. 

    He's been working like crazy lately, so I get that maybe he didn't have time to plan, but I just felt like there wasn't even an excuse, like "hey I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to plan anything cause I've been so busy, but I'll make it up to you soon". It just came and went. My feelings are a bit hurt, but I don't want to come off as some immature 5 year old who needs a big fat birthday celebration all the time. I don't know if I should say anything. Do you think I should just forget about it? 
    Frankly, you're probably not going to forget about it, even if you try not to let it bother you, so why NOT talk about it?

    I get the impression that you guys didn't talk about your expectations beforehand, so your H probably didn't even realized you'd be disappointed. Are you sure that he understands how important the card is? I suspect he doesn't, because that's not something that requires much work or planning. I think it's setting yourself up for disappointment if you expect a big, well-planned adventure every year, but a card should be doable.

    I would definitely talk to him, and if you're not acting like an immature 5-year-old, he shouldn't interpret it that way. I would go for something like, "I realized we've never talked about it, but birthday cards have always been very special to me, and I was a little disappointed not to get one. This isn't your fault, but I wanted you to know how happy it would make me next year if you gave me a card."

    As for the adventure, wait until next year and feel out the situation then. I'd definitely talk about it beforehand. Tell him how much you liked the old birthday adventures, and ask if he'll have time to plan something, but understand if he doesn't. It may not be as great a surprise, but it's better than having unrealistic hopes and being disappointed.
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  • VORVOR member
    Eighth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments Name Dropper
    How busy is busy? Is it stressful busy? I ask because if he's been truly REALLY busy, having you come to him and ask about "why didn't you plan something?" could actually upset him. As in - why isn't there any understanding/acknowledgement on your part to what he's dealing with right now? I'm not saying that what he did should just be excused, but however you approach it- Ithink you need to acknowledge whats been going on with him too. While the norm has been for youall to do something fun for your birthdays, at the same time, "life" can get in the way of this and if it can't happen every year, as adults, we need to be able to work with that and not make anyone feel guilty.
  • Thank you both for the input. To elaborate, there was a big shake up at DH's job, and his boss was needed ASAP at another location. So DH is left to run the ship at his location. He also just started there after a job transfer. So not only is he still pretty new at this store, but a lot of responsibility was dropped onto his lap. He is really driven to do well and keep things together at work.

     So I totally understand that he didn't have time to plan something specific for my birthday. Truthfully I'm more upset about the card part than anything. It's really important to me and he does know this already because we have been together for over 10 years. It's come up before.

    He's been so distracted with work, it just would have been a nice opportunity to reconnect a little. And I'm sad the moment passed. He did mention he was going to get me a card but it's been over a week already!! LOL. Arg if I start comparing, I can make myself crazy. Like if this was a form he needed to fill out for work, I'm sure he would have made the deadline, but why for me is it ok to wait so long? It just doesn't even feel genuine if I do get one at this point. 


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  • VORVOR member
    Eighth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments Name Dropper
    it just would have been a nice opportunity to reconnect a little.


    See... I'm getting mixed messages here.  You say it's more about the card - o.k fine,  But then you say the above.  Wasn't going out to brunch and having dinner together a time for you all to reconnect?  How is a card really going to do that more so than spending TIME together? 


  • I'd be PISSED if I didn't get a card.  Seriously.  You need need to talk to him.  We all have busy lives, but that doesn't mean that you can't communicate your needs.  Don't act upset or accusatory, but be straight up that in the future I'd like something like X.  
  • My DH didn't do anything for my last birthday. No card, no cake, no present. Not even from the kids.

    I spent all day waiting for something and then we put the kids to bed and... nothing. I was like 'what the hell!?!?' to which he looked all sheepish and told me that I said I didn't want anything. I was like 'and you BELIEVED me?!?!?'

    So he literally ran out the door and came back an hour later with a painting I've always wanted, flowers, a cake and wine.

    I was really hurt, but I probably shouldn't have said I didn't want to do anything for my birthday if I didn't really mean it.

    My point is, just talk to him. Find out what was up. No need to blow up about it, but maybe you were sending out signals that you didn't want to do anything?
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  •  Like if this was a form he needed to fill out for work, I'm sure he would have made the deadline, but why for me is it ok to wait so long?

    I think this is a part of this here too.  I get it, my H is the same way in that aspect..  Work will get handled, but when it comes to the wife, she gets put to the side on things. 

    I would speak up to him about the whole ordeal.  It was good you two were at least able to spend some time together.  I get that you have always done something exciting, but like you said, work has been way busy.  The card, just tell him how you feel.  Talking helps, communication so you aren't setting yourself up for disappointment.  The more you two know what each others wants are the better...




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  • You guys are right. I guess brunch sort of WAS the birthday outing. lol. I honestly didn't even think of it that way, cause it just felt like a typical weekend. But it's true, we did have a very nice day together at least. :)

    Tofumonkey, I think I'm guilty of the same thing. I think I had said at some point that last year was so great that I'm fine with something low key this year. I guess I got my wish! haha. But I didn't mean no card! :/ I mean come on, don't guys know this already? It's a played out joke on like every sitcom. You get the wife a card on her birthday or you're in TROUBLE! 

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  • GilliCGilliC member
    Ancient Membership 5000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited July 2014
    You guys are right. I guess brunch sort of WAS the birthday outing. lol. I honestly didn't even think of it that way, cause it just felt like a typical weekend. But it's true, we did have a very nice day together at least. :)

    Tofumonkey, I think I'm guilty of the same thing. I think I had said at some point that last year was so great that I'm fine with something low key this year. I guess I got my wish! haha. But I didn't mean no card! :/I mean come on, don't guys know this already? It's a played out joke on like every sitcom. You get the wife a card on her birthday or you're in TROUBLE! 
    I never got a card. I never wanted a card. I couldn't care less about a card! In fact, I sort of dislike cards because I feel guilty chucking them in the recycling bin right after I read them.

    Apparently I was a defective wife! Lucky for my H!
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  • Well, I screwed up this year.  I forgot to get my H a card for his.  We went out of town for his, but I actually forgot the card.  I always get cards.  Must have slipped my mind for some reason...  Lol
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  • H and I don't do cards either. We kind of think they're rather pointless. Unless there is a long touching message inside that the giver has written. I'll give them to other people sometimes but I could care less if I get one.
    Anniversary
  • H and I don't do cards either. We kind of think they're rather pointless. Unless there is a long touching message inside that the giver has written. I'll give them to other people sometimes but I could care less if I get one.

    Yeah, that IS the point...to get a touching message inside. LOL. I am perplexed by people who wouldn't enjoy a heartfelt message from a loved one. Maybe you guys think it's sappy but I happen to think it's sweet, and appreciate it a couple times a year, like on a birthday or for an anniversary.  And I really don't think it's crazy or extravagant to want that. 

    Obviously there are exceptions to every rule, and it sounds like some of you hate cards for whatever reason. Not, me, I happen to love them, and the longer and sappier the message inside the better! Guess what, I really like flowers too! :p

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  • GilliCGilliC member
    Ancient Membership 5000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited July 2014
    H and I don't do cards either. We kind of think they're rather pointless. Unless there is a long touching message inside that the giver has written. I'll give them to other people sometimes but I could care less if I get one.

    Yeah, that IS the point...to get a touching message inside. LOL. I am perplexed by people who wouldn't enjoy a heartfelt message from a loved one. Maybe you guys think it's sappy but I happen to think it's sweet, and appreciate it a couple times a year, like on a birthday or for an anniversary.  And I really don't think it's crazy or extravagant to want that. 

    Obviously there are exceptions to every rule, and it sounds like some of you hate cards for whatever reason. Not, me, I happen to love them, and the longer and sappier the message inside the better! Guess what, I really like flowers too! :p

    I love the touching message. I just don't need it to be in a card. I'm good with a text message, an email, a Post-It note, or an actual spoken comment.

    And for me it doesn't have to happen on a holiday. I feel pressured to come up with something really touching to say on demand, so I'm happy to just have a heart-felt spur-of-the-moment message once in a while, regardless of what day it happens to be.

    The only reason I even mentioned my anti-card sentiments is because you implied that this was a given that all husbands should obviously know. Which completely goes against my entire original point that you should clearly communicate your desires and expectations, so that you're both on the same page. (Honestly, sitcoms piss me off half the time, because I'm watching them thinking, "Why don't they just talk to each other instead of doing all this second-guessing and scheming?!" Alas, healthy relationships don't usually make for good television.)
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  • VORVOR member
    Eighth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments Name Dropper
    GilliC said:
    H and I don't do cards either. We kind of think they're rather pointless. Unless there is a long touching message inside that the giver has written. I'll give them to other people sometimes but I could care less if I get one.

    Yeah, that IS the point...to get a touching message inside. LOL. I am perplexed by people who wouldn't enjoy a heartfelt message from a loved one. Maybe you guys think it's sappy but I happen to think it's sweet, and appreciate it a couple times a year, like on a birthday or for an anniversary.  And I really don't think it's crazy or extravagant to want that. 

    Obviously there are exceptions to every rule, and it sounds like some of you hate cards for whatever reason. Not, me, I happen to love them, and the longer and sappier the message inside the better! Guess what, I really like flowers too! :p

    I love the touching message. I just don't need it to be in a card. I'm good with a text message, an email, a Post-It note, or an actual spoken comment.

    And for me it doesn't have to happen on a holiday. I feel pressured to come up with something really touching to say on demand, so I'm happy to just have a heart-felt spur-of-the-moment message once in a while, regardless of what day it happens to be.

    The only reason I even mentioned my anti-card sentiments is because you implied that this was a given that all husbands should obviously know. Which completely goes against my entire original point that you should clearly communicate your desires and expectations, so that you're both on the same page. (Honestly, sitcoms piss me off half the time, because I'm watching them thinking, "Why don't they just talk to each other instead of doing all this second-guessing and scheming?!" Alas, healthy relationships don't usually make for good television.)

    I agree with all of this. I'm not a big card person either. I've gotten some that are meaningful, but all in all - it's not a big deal to me. this isn't a "Man vs woman" thing.
  • 1) EVERYONE has their particular Love Language.  The goal is to recognize what both of your Love Languages are, work hard at giving your love in your partners language ANDPLUSALSO recognizing when your partner talks to you in his/her language. 

    2) Be honest about your expectations.  The whole "hinting" or "saying one thing but meaning another" just creates situations like this.  There are very few real mind readers.  


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  • GilliCGilliC member
    Ancient Membership 5000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    PS - I love flowers. I even buy flowers for myself.
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  • It seems really unfair to say he didn't plan anything when he took you out for brunch and made dinner for you. If that's really nothing to you, you're pretty lucky!! And if the card is what's really important, tell him! All I care about at birthdays is cake, because I love cake. So I told my DH exactly that. "I don't care about doing anything or going anywhere or getting a present, as long as I don't have to make supper and I get a cake." Boom, problem solved, and delicious cake eaten.
  • GilliCGilliC member
    Ancient Membership 5000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    Leftie22 said:
    It seems really unfair to say he didn't plan anything when he took you out for brunch and made dinner for you. If that's really nothing to you, you're pretty lucky!! And if the card is what's really important, tell him! All I care about at birthdays is cake, because I love cake. So I told my DH exactly that. "I don't care about doing anything or going anywhere or getting a present, as long as I don't have to make supper and I get a cake." Boom, problem solved, and delicious cake eaten.
    Damn you! Now I want cake!!!  :P

    True story: I miss the crappy grocery store cake we used to have for office birthdays, etc. because you just can't get it here. The grocery by my parents' house sells little 1/8 sheet cakes, so once when I was home to visit, I decided to just go buy myself a cake. They didn't have any pre-made at the moment, so I had to order it. When she asked what I wanted written on it, I blanked for a second, and then suggested, "I like cake."
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  • GilliC said:
    True story: I miss the crappy grocery store cake we used to have for office birthdays, etc. because you just can't get it here. The grocery by my parents' house sells little 1/8 sheet cakes, so once when I was home to visit, I decided to just go buy myself a cake. They didn't have any pre-made at the moment, so I had to order it. When she asked what I wanted written on it, I blanked for a second, and then suggested, "I like cake."

    Love it!
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • Ilumine you win! lol! I think you hit the nail on the head with the love language thing! Cards (aka words of affirmation) and quality time are totally my two love languages. That's why it felt like something was lacking when I didn't get the card. 

    Also just to reiterate to those who may have missed it...my DH absolutely knows this about me. We've been together over a decade and he knows that cards are very important to me. Or I should say words of affirmation. Because it could be a card, a letter, a poem, hell, even a mixed love song cd. Just something thoughtful that takes more effort than grabbing a pair of earrings at Kohl's and sticking them in a box. lol. (Gifts are way not important).

    But your post opened my eyes too. I have to realize that he did what he could in his time frame with work and all. Spending the day together and grilling up dinner for me was his love language. I'm over it now, but thanks for the input again to all of you. :)

    P.S. I also love cake. I think cake should be the 6th love language.



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  • Since it sounds like you kind of understand why there wasn't time or energy to plan something big and don't really think your DH is thoughtless or jerky, I'd probably try to bring it up in a way that doesn't put him on the spot to answer why he didn't plan something big. What if you said, "man, I can't believe my birthday already came and went this year. Now I kind of wish we had made plans to do something big." Then it doesn't put the responsibility all on him for why you're bummed. Because even though it would have been nice for him to plan something, you also could have said to him, "I know we've been so busy. I'd love to plan something fun for us to do together on my birthday." Maybe then it will open up a discussion of how to make sure you're still finding ways to be close, show you care, and keep excitement in your life even while you're busy.
  • It is about expectations.  I know I am the type that goes all out, I make all the plans for us.  I think of every little detail.  Hubby shows he cares by doing what he thinks a man is supposed to do.  He takes care of his household, provides for us, loves us with all his heart.   Its just a different way of showing he cares.
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