My husband and boys are the best. They made my 40th birthday awesome, as did so many of you who have wished me a happy birthday. Thank you!
I wanted to share the thoughtful gift my husband bought for me. But first, a story:
When I was in Jr. High, my mom needed new plates. She picked out some of the prettiest I’d ever seen. I loved them. They were our “everyday dishes” and we used them for years.
When she died, out of everything in her kitchen, I wanted those plates more than anything else. My dad, however, had a difficult time parting with them. They were very much “Mom” so it made sense that he wanted them too. Instead, I was able to have several other meaningful kitchen items of my mom’s, so I was okay to leave the plates with my dad.
A few years later, my dad remarried. The two of them got dishes of their own, so finally, the precious plates were mine.
I’ve loved using them for my own family during the past five years. They are a piece of “Grammy” that I can share with my boys, a treasured item we use constantly. But in a busy household, breakable items will sometimes…break. Here and there, one of the special plates would be dropped and broken. The stack of my mom’s plates began to dwindle. Each time one broke, I know Matt was watching me bravely and sadly clean up and throw away the shattered pieces. I know the plates are just “things” but some things are more special than others. These plates definitely rank at the top of my “special material possessions” list.
Knowing my love for these plates, Matt has searched online for a couple of years to find replacements. They were either unavailable or ridiculously expensive. We got down to just seven of the eleven plates we started with. I refused to put them away and get something else. Using these plates everyday was something I loved and needed to do.
Finally, just before my birthday, Matt’s efforts paid off. He was able to find a perfect set of six, presenting me with this wonderful gift on my 40th birthday:
I don’t believe there was another gift I would have rather received. (Well, except for the handwritten poem he also presented me with. Wow.)
Now my stack of treasured plates takes on a new special meaning. I am blessed. I am rich. And the love in this family? Unbreakable.
That tugged at my heart. I love my mamma so much which is why I think this story resonates with me so! Thank you for posting this beautiful moment within your family!
Such a sweet story! Hope it didn’t make you cry as it did me. Welcome to the 40s.
I was just wondering about your birthday a little earlier. I’m glad you’ve had a wonderful day with your sweet family. What a perfect gift for you, Laura. I’m like you, I know things are just things, but I’m very sentimental and some things really mean a lot to me. I also have a sweet poem my husband jotted down at a Valentine banquet at church. I just found myself enlarging this screen so I could peek at your poem in the picture. Love #39, it’s always great to see long time married folk still attracted to one another, and it’s good for your children to see that too ;-) Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
That’s beautiful. Happy Birthday!
Have eaten many meals on those plates and just seeing Them tonight, brings back Bettye Jo memories. Happy birthday…and way to go Matt .
Those are beautiful dishes :) Any chance you could get the website off of your husband and let me know? I am looking to get some new ones and those are stunning. thank you
Ebay. :) I don’t think they make this kind anymore, so they were tough to find!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday. Wonderful story.
Happy Birthday! Such a beautiful and special story, thanks for sharing it.
What’s the name of the pattern?
According to the ebay invoice: Arcoroc Arcopal France PARADISE floral pattern
But the bottom of the plate doesn’t say. :)
Do you need bowls, too? I just found these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcoroc-Arcopal-France-PARADISE-orange-blue-floral-soup-cereal-bowls-lot-6-EUC-/221255483938?pt=Dinnerware_Serving_Dishes&hash=item3383dac222
I’m good on bowls, but thanks for being so sweet and looking it up for me!
Matt sure is a keeper. I am so glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday.
Have you ever heard of replacements.com? They are amazing for finding replacements on just about any kind of dish. They are in Greensboro, NC, but ship to most places.
Good to know, thank you!
Awwww, what a perfect gift! I have tears. Also, years ago when the family started growing with in-laws and grandchildren, my mother-in-law started stressing about her own plate supply. Being the “computer savvy” one in the family (I know! HAhahahaha!) I searched for her set on ebay and gifted her with extra plates for her birthday or Mother’s Day or something. SO much fun being on the giving end of a well-received gift. :)
That is absolutely beautiful! I’m glad your husband was able to find them. Happy Birthday!!!!!
Beautiful! Happy birthday!
What a wonderful gift! Happy Birthday to you and I’m glad you were so blessed on your birthday.
what a thoughtful gift, you are blessed
This is a wonderful birthday story to treasure! Now, next time you break one of those plates save the pieces! You can make beautiful mosaic items with the pieces.
I LOVE this idea!!!
That was so sweet :)
Happy birthday! What a sweet and thoughtful gift from your dh. :)
Belated birthday wishes to you.
What a thoughtful gift from your husband…and another sweet memory to associate with your dishes.
Well, this is a first. I cried over a blog post!!! Such a sweet story.
What a sweet gift! I think you just made this pregnant lady cry too! :)
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday funny, encouraging, interesting sister in Christ,
Happy Birthday to yooooouuuu!
May God keep you blessed and happy in the coming year, Laura.
So sweet Laura. Your love for one another is inspiring. Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday!!!!!
This was a beautiful post – brought tears to my eyes! What a sweet heart your husband has, full of love for his beloved. I have ONE fork from my Grammy (“real” silver with a rose on the handle)and I have one plate from my mother’s wedding china (has yellow roses.) Since both ladies are with our Lord, the materal items bring me some peace in knowing we are close in faith and in our hearts. How beautiful that your hubby “gets” it. Bless you all! And Happy Birthday!!!
This is so precious Laura. Your Mom would be so touched. Did you know that you and Serenity have the same birthday? I had forgotten that you both shared the same birthday. I remember your Mom and I shared stories of our births. She was as proud of you as I am of Serenity. Happy happy birthday Laura. Your Mom is smiling down on you and so proud.