20 years tomorrow ideas?

[Doublecluck]

Sophomore year in high school (1996) a cute girl moved in to the apartment across the way. Somehow at lunch time one day I got up the nerve to ask her out in the parking lot of the local Carl’s Jr.. As it turned out for some reason she really liked me and went along with it. Well anyhow time went by and we got to liking one another for all the reasons kids do… And did the things young adults did… And eventually the inevitable happened. A year or two went by and again it happened and we decided well guess we better make it official. This wasn’t some bullchit love story where we had everything in common, most of all it was two people who came from broken families who made a active decision to be responsible for their actions and not continue doing what had been done to them to their children, and we were also somewhat fond of one another. So 6 months prego with #2 we walked in to the then flamingo casino in Laughlin Nevada and surrounded by a small group of family and friends got hitched for less than 1000 bucks. So here I sit on the eve of 20 years. What does a woman who has dedicated her life to raising her children (6 beautiful girls) to serving her family, to serving her husband who undoubtably didn’t deserve it at times, a woman who literally has never acted once on selfishness or her own desires. What does this woman deserve for her 20th?

I’ve spent the last 20 years working to pay the bills and feed the family, she’s pretty much always been home with the kids, we’ve never really had people help us, so we’ve pretty much never done anything for us.

What do we do??

Alaska? Hawaii? Chico hot springs? Help?

Edit: yes this is short notice..

Edit: Budget=1-3000 bucks.

 

[mtmuley]

Sophomore year in high school (1996) a cute girl moved in to the apartment across the way. Somehow at lunch time one day I got up the nerve to ask her out in the parking lot of the local Carl’s Jr.. As it turned out for some reason she really liked me and went along with it. Well anyhow time went by and we got to liking one another for all the reasons kids do… And did the things young adults did… And eventually the inevitable happened. A year or two went by and again it happened again and we decided well guess we better make it official. This wasn’t some bullchit love story where we had everything in common, most of all it was two people who came from broken families who made a active decision to be responsible for their actions and not continue doing what had been done to them to their children, and we were also somewhat fond of one another. So 6 months prego with #2 we walked in to the then flamingo casino in Laughlin Nevada and surrounded by a small group of family and friends got hitched for less than 1000 bucks. So here I sit on the eve of 20 years. What does a woman who has dedicated her life to raising her children (6 beautiful girls) to serving her family, to serving her husband who undoubtably didn’t deserve it at times, a woman who literally has never acted once on selfishness or her own desires. What does this woman deserve for her 20th?

I’ve spent the last 20 years working to pay the bills and feed the family, she’s pretty much always been home with the kids, we’ve never really had people help us, so we’ve pretty much never done anything for us.

What do we do??

Alaska? Hawaii? Chico hot springs? Help?

Edit: yes this is short notice..

Anything she wants. Have one of 30 plus years myself. Almost hard to do something to recognize that. Bet you will figure it out. mtmuley

 

[Doublecluck]

Anything she wants. Have one of 30 plus years myself. Almost hard to do something to recognize that. Bet you will figure it out. mtmuley

That’s my problem, she is such a humble frugal person she will be like “oh let’s go to dinner” or “let’s go for a hike” which I feel like is far less than what she deserves.

 

[geewhiz]

Sounds like you’re a blessed man. Congratulations on your anniversary.

Sit down, hold her hands, look into her eyes and speak from your heart. Tell her how much you appreciate her and how much she means to you. That should be a good start. Never have been a good one to come up with gifts though

 

[OntarioHunter]

Wherever you go, there better be a Carl Jr's in the story. Buy her a nice piece of jewelry. Something useful and not too "fabulous" that she can wear for almost any occasion ... or all the time. Another ring might be nice?

 

[Idahoarcheryhunter]

Congrats on the 20 years! Alaska is always a good choice.

 

[Gellar]

Congratulations!

 

[Addicting]

Disney land!

 

[Hunting Wife]

Congratulations! Good for you guys.

we’ve pretty much never done anything for us.

This pretty much says it all. It’s time. Perhaps if you explain it to her the way you explained it to us, it will help? A milestone anniversary is the best excuse many of us can come up with to go have a new adventure with our partner.

Hard to suggest things without knowing her, but I always find experiences mean more and last longer than things. Maybe make it a bit of a game, and let her help come up with a plan. But give her some rules to get her thinking outside the box…it has to be something you haven’t done before, someplace you haven’t gone before, weekend minimum, ???

Whatever you decide, hope it makes great memories.

 

[Cheesehead]

Hawaii
Lovely story

 

[Corn king 60]

I feel your pain. I’ve been married to my bride for 41 years and still struggle with what’s appropriate on big occasions to show my appreciation for her unwavering support all these years. We’ve never been high rollers so just spending time together makes her happy.
she does like a nice steak dinner
congrats

 

[Doublecluck]

Disney land!

We lived in California, god forsaken place in both our opinions, couldn’t imagine it now based on what it was 10 years ago. Maybe Florida Disneyland.

Besides couldn’t go to Disneyland without the kids. She would never go for it.

 

[maxracx]

Congrats on your first 20 years. Misses and I are creeping up on 30 years. We just got back from a week in Homer Alaska!! I wish we had more time. A picture post card around every corner. Whatever you do have a great time and treasure the time you have had and the future your are going to have. Life is short, live it!!!!

 

[Hem]

I appreciate your honesty.
What is an epic celebration for one may not suffice for another.
I have a very similar modest wife. We had our honeymoon 7 years later...I was building our house the year we were married. It was every bit as special after the fact.
If she knows you love her, that is all that matters...but you might be creative with icing. Plan a trip without kids...a little throwback to the beginning can be special.

 

[BigHornRam]

Haven't been to but have heard from many that Chico Hot Springs is very nice. 20th Anniversary nice!

 

[Cousin Basil]

I would spend 1K on an anniversary ring and 2K on a trip. You mentioned she suggested a hike - how about Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Glacier NP, Yosemite, etc - Lots of hiking there and from what I see beautiful scenery!

 

[Doublecluck]

Congratulations! Good for you guys.


This pretty much says it all. It’s time. Perhaps if you explain it to her the way you explained it to us, it will help? A milestone anniversary is the best excuse many of us can come up with to go have a new adventure with our partner.

Hard to suggest things without knowing her, but I always find experiences mean more and last longer than things. Maybe make it a bit of a game, and let her help come up with a plan. But give her some rules to get her thinking outside the box…it has to be something you haven’t done before, someplace you haven’t gone before, weekend minimum, ???

Whatever you decide, hope it makes great memories.

Thanks! This is a solid start and kinda where my mind is, definitely would rather be a place than a thing. 3-5 days we could swing, maybe more. my mom recently retired so she could help my older kids still in the house with watching with the younger kids. Wife suggested Alaska but everyone thinks that was my idea because I want to go fishing, part of me thinks she suggested it because she knows I want to go back and that alone has me second guessing it because I want it to be about her.

 

[Nick87]

No advice, as my wife is cut from the same cloth. She came from nothing and refuses to do anything for herself, to the point I feel ashamed for all the hunting I do. We also met in high school. She asks for cleaning supplies for christmas wtf. So I'm curious to see how this goes for you and what works. I hope she's able to enjoy whatever it is you decide on, she deserves it. Btw 6 girls dang! I thought the 3 boys kept us busy! Whatever you guys do as long as its time together will be worth it.

 

[Nameless Range]

I’m kind of terrible at gifts. Just had the 10 year with my wife. I read online that the traditional ten year gift is something made of tin or aluminum, so I bought her a tall boy. A Chelada to be precise.

It’s tough to tell someone what to buy another person because everyone has different tastes. Does she want something shiny? There’s nothing wrong with that and your budget could get something nice. Maybe you were broke when you bought her her first wedding band and now you’re in a better position to upgrade. The trip would also be a great memory. Something that you think she would really enjoy.

No matter what you get her, I would bet she would appreciate you telling her what you just told us. About the importance of that which she has dedicated her life to, and her selflessness, and her grace. Words can be a good gift too.

Good luck and congrats!

 

[JEL]

My wife and I did Hawaii for our 30th. Kids were raised. We felt it was time to do something for us. She loved it. I did too.