A wha--? A box of potatoes?
One sec, please.
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Okay, I'm done laughing now. Sorry. A box of potatoes? Like, the kind that are flakes and you add water?
Wow.
Yes, I'd say as birthday dinners go, that's a bit lo-fi. Did he make anything else, or did you just have potatoes? Not even chicken fingers? I picture the two of you sitting there eating big bowls of formerly-freeze-dried potatoes with spoons like cereal. But I need to stop, because I'm about to have another laughing fit.
"Mmm, honey, these potatoes are delicious."
"Aw, thank you, Boo-bear. It's all in the water. You have to use fresh spring water and boil it slowly for 30 minutes."
Okay, well, honestly, I'm torn on this one. Yeah the dinner sucked and the flowers were half-dead but does he know how to cook anything else? And what do most guys know about flowers? I bought my girlfriend (now wife) half-dead flowers once. I didn't know they were half-dead--they looked fine to me--but by the time she got them that evening, it was time to call the priest for final rites. There was no malicious intent on my part, and it wasn't that I didn't care. I was 21 and clueless.
I don't know your guy. He could be inexperienced or he could really not give a crap. Maybe he couldn't afford more than half-dead flowers and boxed potatoes. I'm not trying to give the guy a pass if he phoned it in, but I don't know his intent, and intent is key. I mean, at least he remembered your birthday, which is better than some guys, and at least he tried to make a homemade meal. And who doesn't love a good starchy dinner? (cough).
You say "yet another" underwhelming birthday? How many has it been? The answer is important. If he does this year after year after year and clearly doesn't give a crap, then yeah, you have every right to be annoyed. But if he tried in earnest and simply failed, then the attempt is worth something, is it not?
Does he know you aren't happy with his birthday fails? Maybe he just needs some hints on how to do it better. And I agree that he needs to do better, whether the underwhelming birthday dinner was the result of apathy or innocent cluelessness.
I was freakin laughing so hard. I’m very sorry, but you had me at, “I'm eating them as I type.” I literally spit my diet Dr Pepper all over the place when you said, “We are not rednecks.” Honey.., I do feel for you, but potatoes? Nothing says love, like a box of spuds. Maybe you can suggest, “For Valentine’s Day, I would like this, this, & this. Please & thank you!” Give it to him in writing so he can check it off. Good luck, (she giggles).
I'd go for the mac and cheese next time. Or at least real mashed potatoes.
That is so funny! But, in a wierd way, so endearing. He made an effort, no matter how poor it seems. It's so easy to order flowers, and it's so easy to say, "Lets go out to eat", but he attempted something..... bad, but something!!
It'll be a story for your children and grandchildren some day, no doubt!!
Cary! I have this problem also. My boyfriend never celebrates valentines, I get really weird things for my birthday and I didn't get a christmas present OR even a card. He says he is getting round to it. We've been together for four years. It sucks!
How does one approach this matter without seeming too demanding or by hurting his feelings? Was he just born this way? What do we say to boyfriends like this?????
This post made my day! I'm still laughing and truthfully most girls have been there or will be there at some point during their lives. I know I have. Great answer, Cary!!