For You, Just Because

SKYE BLUE

Can anyone out there tell me why liking someone makes you want to give them presents?

Is it…

1. Something about seeing the smile on their face when you’ve chosen well or they realize you’ve remembered/taken note of something they said they wanted? *
2. Simply one more way to show how much you care or in Ken’s case how much you want them to sit on your face?
3. About how good it makes you feel to make your beloved happy?
4. All of the above?
5. None of the above?

* Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I know at least some of our male readers are probably struggling to figure out how to do right by their ladies this year. So, I thought I’d give you a clue and guide you to a great post by man who knows a thing or too about romance. Read The Fakir if you want some pointers on how to warm your woman’s heart with the gift you choose and virtually guarantee that you get some good extra lovin’ on the 14th (just four short days from now boys).

Although I’m not quite sure which of the reasons above apply to me, I do know that whenever I start falling for someone – even a smidgen – all of sudden I can’t help but; spoil them with their favourite treat, make them a CD with music I think they’ll like, or pick up the item they mentioned they needed from the mall on the way to see them…just because.

Truth be told, I also like receiving just because gifts. The gift themselves are often lovely, but since at bottom I’m a mushy girl, what I most love about them are the thoughts behind them. Receiving a just because gift from a man lets me know that I matter to him (and is there a more beautiful sentiment than that?) no matter what it is. I’m going to give you two examples that illustrate my point.

One of my past lovers gave me a pair of thick woollen and very orange knee high socks as a just because gift, which sounds like a ridiculous gift, right? Well, as ridiculous (and bright) as they may have been I was ecstatic when I received them, and here’s why. The man who bought me those electric orange socks picked them out for two very important (at least to my mind) reasons: 1) he knew orange was my favourite colour, and 2) he remembered that my feet were often cold when I was at his place. Let me tell you I loved those socks so much I wore them all the time (even when my feet weren’t cold), and many people laughed at me. But I didn’t care. I strutted with pride and a whole lot of joy in my heart whenever I had them on.

I received another memorable just because gift from an ex, who we’ll call Al, who figured out that I loved Winnie the Pooh without me even telling him (it may have been the large collection of Pooh books from my childhood that I have on my bookshelf to this day). Anyway, one day he was out shopping with his brother, Mike, and his very materialistic sister-in-law, Joanne, and he saw a Pooh Bear watch he just knew I’d love. Joanne was horrified by his choice and told him:

‘You can’t get her that cheap kiddy watch, why don’t you get her something good like a Cartier or something?’

FYI: Cheap to this woman, who was all about the bling and designer brands, was anything less than $300.

To his credit, Al stuck to his guns, and told her,

‘Don’t you think I know my woman? Skye will love it, trust me.’

‘I don’t know Al,’ Mike warned, ‘Joanne has really good taste, why don’t you let her help you pick out something good?’

Al ignored them both and purchased the Pooh Bear watch anyway.

A few days later when the four of us were out having dinner, Al handed me a gift box and said, ‘I hope you like it.’

‘Me too,’ Joanne said, looking real skeptical.

But I was too busy clawing at the wrapping on my gift to pay attention to her comment. Can I tell you all how excited I was when I opened the box and saw that watch? I was over the moon as my eyes took in it’s smooth brown leather band, gold face and the floating Pooh Bear that was the minute hand (I know you think I’m crazy, but like I said at bottom I’m a mushy girl – emphasis on the girl). I actually teared up. ‘Oh my God it’s so beautiful. How did you figure out that I love Pooh Bear?’ I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

‘I knew you’d like it,’ Al said triumphantly, and then turned to look at Joanne.

She just shrugged. ‘I guess there’s no accounting for taste.’

Maybe so, but I let Al have more than a taste of me to show him how much I appreciated that gift when we got home that night.

Readers, any of you have a story about a silly little just because gift that made your (and perhaps your lover’s) day?

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