A little more background

When Katie and I started talking about this idea, we had the normal conversations a couple would expect to have.  We talked of dreams and expectations, money and time, as well as the mundane details found in each of our roles.  As we were  approaching Christmas, we were saving as much money as we could in preparation for making an offer on a not yet found property.  Because we were in a saving mode, we agreed not to purchase each other gifts for Christmas.

Determined to follow our plan, we set out the first weekend of December to view yet a few more properties.  We planned a two day trip that would allow us to make the best use of our time in the region.  We packed a bag, let the beagle come along for the ride, and booked a motel room for Sunday evening.

After spending a few hours looking at the property, we headed back to Two Harbors for dinner and some sleep.  At the hotel room, we discussed with excitement what we loved about the property, the drawbacks, and of course, a plan for making an offer the next day.  At one point, I got serious and said to Katie “I want you to know, that if you have any reservations, no matter how small, speak them now.”  I wanted her to be sure this is what she wanted.  I’d lived with regrets for not speaking my mind in the past, with hard feelings because someone else didn’t speak up, and I wanted to make sure that this was right for us.

She explained her reasoning for making this a reality, and said (as she got a very, very serious look on her face) “I only have one stipulation, and it’s a deal breaker.”  What she said next confirmed that not only was this the right choice for us, but that I had made the right choice in her.  I took out my phone, and made her repeat it so I could preserve it, and of course, share it with you:

If you didn’t catch that, she said “I want my own chainsaw… A PINK ONE!”  Now, I’m not sure how many of you have ever tried shopping for a pink chainsaw, but let me attest to the fact there are none.  I figured one company or another might have jumped on the “breast cancer awareness” bandwagon, and produced one, but no dice.  So I did the next best thing, I made her one.  I’m sure there are plenty of chainsaw aficionados who may disagree with my brand choice, others yet who might see the logic in my choice, but this wasn’t about a chainsaw.  I took the beast to work with me, and disassembled it on a shop bench.  Co-workers were now intrigued.  They got even more interested when I pulled two different shades of pink spray paint out of a bag from the local big box store.  Over the next few hours the machine changed into something a Monte Python’s lumberjack might be excited to wield, complete with two-tone candy cane striped bar.

Now, I know that I made a promise to her, that I wouldn’t buy her a Christmas gift.  But, thinking back to my childhood I remembered a tact that my parents employed around Christmas, and used it myself.  I lied through my teeth.  I called her parents and filled them in on the plan.  We were spending Christmas eve at their place so it would work out well.  So thanks to Mom & Dad, Santa, and a clueless Katie, the evening was enjoyable, and I was able to meet Katie’s demands for purchasing the property.  Enjoy!

 

P.S.  Sami the beagle is overly excited as you can tell.