Today is my two-year wedding anniversary and my husband is out of town on business
:(, so of course it's a bittersweet day for me. I am happy we made it this far and sad we can't celebrate it together. He told me we can celebrate AND he will get me something when he returns.
After returning home from work today, I was somewhat excited to see what was in our mailbox. We received one anniversary card from some loved ones. (I will not name names to in this blog to protect identities). I felt somewhat ticked off and disappointed when I saw other loved ones did not send us anything.
Ok, ok, I know I know. Perhaps we will get more later in the week. HOWEVER I remember my birthday was earlier this year and I received birthday cards from friends and loved ones, BUT other ones close and dear in my life (at least I think and hope that they feel the same way) did not send me a greeting card. WTF? What sucks is I sent them greeting cards for their anniversaries and birthdays AND/OR bought them gifts OR took them out to a restaurant.
I have to admit I have not been perfect either. I have forgotten birthdays and anniversaries. When I do remember, he/she might get a card one month after that special day. Growing up, I remember my mom would have EVERY relative's birthday AND wedding anniversary written down so she would remember to mail them a greeting card. I guess other people don't do that. Perhaps it's a regional thing. Maybe it's just a family thing...
Maybe, I just feel extra sensitive because my spouse can not be here today for our anniversary and I just feel others should go out of the way to make me feel just as special if he were to be here.
I guess this experience is teaching me to keep better track of birthdays and anniversaries. I understand every-day life is crazier and more stressful, but I think that should be one of the main reasons we DO send greeting cards. I truly believe it is a lost art form. If you think about it, families do not live close to each other anymore. It's now the norm for relatives to live on opposite ends of the country or even the globe. People do not take the time to form relationships anymore. This is not a Monday-Friday/8-5 world anymore. Now people are expected to take their work home with them thanks to technology, the new iPhone, Blackberries and more. Can you name at least two of your neighbors? Yeah, I did not think so. (Don't worry, I can't either)
I think sending a card demonstrates that you think about that person AND that person is special to you whether you live next door or in different time zones.
Not only should we remember birthdays and anniversaries but also thank-you notes. I will not write anymore on this topic. I think you can conclude what I think about thank-you notes ;)
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I agree that card sending is a lost form of communication, but you do realize that these are tough times for many, and budgeting in a bunch of cards to mail to people could be too much for some. The average greeting card costs around $3, and depending upon how many friends/family members you have, you could have a lot of people to buy for. Plus, if you add in holidays such as Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentines Day, etc., you're spending a whole lot of money every year on something most people are just going to throw away.
ReplyDeletePlus, to be honest, expecting people to send you an anniversary card is a bit much. I could see if it's your 25th anniversary or something, but 2? Doesn't that seem slightly selfish?
I totally see where you are coming from with the whole selfish part. I guess even if it is not exactly in the budget to send a card, why not send a e-card (some sites have free cards) or an email or a quick phone call. Also some cards are only a buck!
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