Two days ago, I wrote a post about the gift that Mr. Handsome surprised me with last week. If you missed that post, be sure to go back and read it before continuing.
When I left off, I had returned home and seen something very large in our house that had not been there before.
“Did you buy me a treadmill?” I asked Mr. Handsome, in shock.
“A what?” he responded, as if he had no clue what I was talking about.
“A treadmill,” I repeated.
“That’s really weird,” he replied, still trying to sound confused. “Little Buddy and I went outside to swing for a few minutes while you were gone, and I guess someone must have snuck in and left it.”
Now I know what you’re thinking. What kind of husband buys his wife a treadmill? But don’t worry, this wasn’t Mr. Handsome’s way of telling me that I need to lose a few pounds. I had wanted a treadmill for the past year because I really enjoy exercising, and I like having options, especially in the winter when the weather is blah and going outside is not feasible. (Let’s be honest, going to the gym with a baby isn’t an option.) But treadmills are expensive, and we had both agreed that we should wait a while before making such a big purchase. So you can imagine how taken aback I was when I came home to find a treadmill in our house.
For a few days, Mr. Handsome continued to pretend that he had no idea where the treadmill came from. I didn’t mind not knowing, but I knew that someone had delivered it because our vehicles are too small, and I felt like I should thank that person. So we worked out a deal. I would bake Mr. Handsome a blueberry pie (one of his favorite desserts) and he would tell me the story behind the treadmill. I finished the pie late in the evening and actually forgot to ask him about the treadmill, until he reminded me the next day.
He and one of his coworkers had been talking about gift ideas for spouses, and Mr. Handsome had mentioned that he wanted to get me a treadmill at some point. Well, it turned out that one of his coworkers had a treadmill in her closet that she was looking to get rid of. Her husband wanted it gone so badly that he even offered to deliver it. They didn’t want to take money for it, but Mr. Handsome wanted to give them something, so they suggested $40. I could hardly believe it! Some people might say that a low price for a big item diminishes the value of the gift, but I’m a sucker for a good deal.
It turns out that the massage was just a way to get me out of the house so they could deliver the treadmill. Both surprises together were probably the most thoughtful thing that anyone has ever done for me (aside from the elaborate beach engagement that Mr. Handsome planned four-and-a-half years ago). It’s not about the amount of money spent–it’s about the amount of time and thought that a person puts into something simply because they know how happy it will make you.
What was the most thoughtful gift (whether or not it was a surprise) that you have ever received?
Anonymous
Treadmills are wonderful. You can hang a lot of clothes from the handles, and the flat bed area can take a lot of stacked boxes.
In other words, when the novelty wears off and you’re tired of walking nowhere, with scenery that never changes, you have a treadmill in your closet that you’re looking to get rid of. Sound familiar?
Anonymous
Ours went to the recycle center after collecting dust.
anonymous
This comment and the reply to it do not have to become predictive of all others experiences with treadmills. In a city gym they had little TV screens on the tread mills and people could bring their own head phones to watch and listen to things of their choosing.
Some people like youth with lots of options might lose interest as you describe. You only encourage people to be positive and find the good and the use in a tread mill and be disciplined and creative enough to make it constantly an enjoyed piece of equipment if you need.
anonymous
I think anyone including youth would very much appreciate and use a treadmill it is also a safer form of getting exercise done. Don’t stereotype anybody!
Anon
Actually Iāve heard about a lot of accidents involving treadmills. I would consider them as one of the most dangerous in exercise equipment, believe it or not. And most involved little children. Itās the belt that will sling you off and make you hurt yourself. I, myself, had a very close call one time with on one and I never got back on again. The fear was too much.
Lisa Ovitt
LOL!
Regina Shea
That’s so sweet Ellie! That was very thoughtful of your husband to do that. The most thoughtful gift I ever got was an iron for Christmas many years ago. My hubby knew that all I wanted for Christmas and nothing else was an iron. He was actually afraid I’d get angry about it but I was so happy and it was a very nice iron too!
Ellie
Your husband sounds like a thoughtful guy. Iām sure you think of him every time you iron. Very sweet!
Nadine
Well, several years ago my mother gave me a wonderful birthday gift. She had put together a binder filled with recipes that we had eaten while growing up. Many of these recipes came from grandmother. This may not seem like a big deal but what made it extra special is that Iām a super organized person and my mother isnāt. She decorated the binder, and divided it by categories. Itās one of my most treasured gifts.
And by the way, if you are interested, there are many videos about how to exercise with a treadmill. You can do so much more on them than just walking.
Ellie
What a treasured gift indeed!
Hmm, you have me interested. Iāll havw to look those videos up.
Ellie
Lily
How sweet and smart of him! I bet it made it extra special that you didnāt have to worry about him spending more than youād want him to. My husband saved up gift cards that I had forgotten we had and handed them to me one day and told me to order the stand mixer I had been wanting. I felt guilty at first because of all the other things we could buy for that amount but I figured it would be for the whole family and it has really sped up my cooking and baking time with some dishes. I hope you enjoy the treadmill!
Ellie
That was kind of him! He must have been planning that for months (maybe even years) to be able to save up gift cards.
Anonymous
That is great you received a surprise treadmill and for such a great price. But I am curious what you did before Little Buddy arrived and how you can adapt that routine in your present life. As an older woman who always put husband, kids, house, family, etc before myself, can I say that in addition to the treadmill I hope you can go out and carve that hour somehow some way every day for yourself. It really is so important to all aspects of health and well being. Maybe with your young couples group from church or with your husband to work out together. Please don’t lose sight of yourself Ellie. It is a habit hard to break once started . Don’t get isolated through love and caring for children and husband.
Ellie
That is great advice. I find certain types of cleaning relaxing, so itās theraputic for Mr H to take the baby and let me go into my own little world and clean the kitchen.
We used to live in an apartment with a gym, and before that we had a gym just a minute away. What do you like to do to recharge?
Ellie
Anonymous
A nice story, and I’ve heard one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. My daughter surprise me one Mother’s Day. She told me a month before Mother’s Day that we were going to do something together. One time she told me I would need to wear boots. Than next time she ask me if I had a bathing suit. I had no clue, but was hoping that I was going to like it. After driving for 45 mins. we reached our destination. I read the words on the building and said we are getting a massage. She said a massage and facial. Before returning home we went into a gift shop around the corner. My daughter told me to pick out something to remember this day. I like fridge magnets, so I picked out one that said: Ask not what your MOTHER can do for you, ask what you can do for your MOTHER. I hate surprises, but was happy it turn out to be a nice surprise and a nice day. š š S.S.
Ellie
Sounds like a lovely day! Very kind of your daughter.
Ellie
anon
aww, how sweet is that! never worry about the monetary value of a gift. it’s the thought that counts and mr h knew that you, a)wanted a treadmill and; b)love a great deal so it was absolutely perfect for you!
Anonymous
That was so sweet of your husband to get you that treadmill.
b
The best surprise was when my son, on leave, walked into the restaurant where the whole family was dining. I was expecting him the next day, but he and his siblings hatched out plans with him getting an earlier flight. And yes, I hollered out his name. I have two children that are military along with a daughter-in- law, and their returning to the US after their deployments are gifts.
Ellie
Thatās so sweet! I once had the honor of watching a soldier return home and surprise his daughter at pre-school. Not a dry eye in the room. Thank you for your familyās service.
Ellie
Anonymous
b, I hear you! Nobody can fully understand military homecomings except those who have been through them personally with a loved one. It’s been a long time for me, but if I see it happening on TV, those old feelings come right back, and so do the tears. The high of homecoming and the low of leaving. Gosh, I remember those days and the emotions.
At least now, the deployed can stay in touch a little better than they used to. Wives were allowed to send only five 15-word telegrams during the long months when husbands were deployed. The husbands could not respond at all unless back to an area with military mail, and then maybe you’d get one letter, delayed by the mail system. No calls, no e-mail, no Skype, nothing. Imagine not hearing from your spouse for months, not knowing if someday, a chaplain would show up unannounced at your door along with some base officers… It was incredibly hard to endure. My heart goes out to anyone with loved ones in the military. I lived what you’re living now.
anonymous
Seems Mr H. was avoiding taking full credit for his gift, but knew it meant a lot to you and he did not want to say it was once a used item stored in a closet. So he ground a way around the story, just don’t explain. (Now you know, if its complicated, nothing gets said.) (Now you know, to ask yourself, do I really want the full story?) Anyway you are a fortunate girl, to have a nice husband.
Lauren
How awesome! Sounds like a “God thing” to me – Him providing for your needs and a desire of your heart that you didn’t expect to be able to fulfill for quite some time. Isn’t He awesome!? And very sweet of your husband as well. Planning the whole spa trip so he could surprise you sounds like it made it extra special! š
Ellie
Amen! š
Marilyn
What a nice surprise. Mr. H is a thoughtful and loving husband.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Else
I would have loved a treadmill when my kids were babies! They both wanted to be carried all the time, usually in the baby carrier. Sitting in the rocking chair didnāt work to soothe them. I HAD to be walking. So I walked A LOT of laps around my house, desperately trying to keep them away from any light or noise. A treadmill in my quiet dark basement would have been amazing. Especially in the middle of the night or the dead of winter (like when itās -20 Celsius).
anonymous
It will be interesting in the days ahead if you can give some updates on life with a treadmill in the house. Will you really be using it, everyday, how many minutes, how did you feel after using it, how do you feel over time, do you have an exercise routine, does little buddy keep quiet while you exercise, does Mr H. use it tyoo, how is that going?
Ellie
I’ll keep you updated. š So far it has been great, although I have a sprained toe so I had to take a few days off.
Candi
Hi Ellie! I was certainly āsurprisedā to see your first blog post (aug 15) on surprises as it couldnāt come at a better time! I was in the middle of enjoying a birthday surprise for myself from my hubby and children of all things! They told me I needed to pack a bag and we might be gone for a night or two…I wonāt relate all the logistics they went through to totally surprise me cause itād be way too long of a story but in the end I ended up at a cabin in the Smokies (with them along of course) for a couple of nights and days just to relax. They know a full moon in the mtns is near and dear to my heart to enjoy and so they planned this over full moon and what I really wanted: a hot tub to enjoy the full moonlight…they also surprised me with supper out at the Dixie Stampede! They have never gone to this extreme before for one of my birthdays so it will be a memory I will treasure forever! Such joys when your children start getting a little older to conspire with daddy and you realize there is secrets going on šand what fun that I didnāt have to plan a trip this time! (Yes, its usually my job to plan all the details for a vacation) Wonderful gift! Now if I was going to be gone longer than 2 nights Iām like everyone else here, I would like to know that or just enough of the details so I can plan accordingly but little surprise impromptu getaways like I had are right up my alley.
Ellie
That is so sweet! I’m glad to hear that you had such a wonderful trip with your husband and children. I’m sure you made a lot of memories that will be treasured forever. I have never seen a full moon in the mountains, but I can imagine how beautiful it must be.
Ellie
Candi
And oh yes, I meant to say that is so sweet of mr H to surprise you with a massage and a treadmill! That is a wonderful marriage builder to do things like that for each other. And what a wonderful/clever way to get a treadmill cheap so you can try one out before you buy brand new! Thanks so much for your surprise story. I love blog posts like this.
Eileen
Congrats Ellie! My guess was incorrect Lol. This is a wonderful surprise. I think you will get a lot of use out of it. I have one that has been real benefit for a number of years. It is not gathering dust or sitting in a closet and during winter months has been a quick exercise solution/starter. Mr H is very thoughtful and caring. Enjoy!! Eileen
Ellie
Thanks, Eileen! I’m looking forward to using it, especially in winter.
Ellie
Anna
The best gift my husband has given to me (and actually also to our children) was taking six months of paternity leave after our twins were born. It was wonderful to experience the sweet and crazy newborn days and nights together and just enjoy this first stage of becoming a family.
Ellie
I can imagine how wonderful that must have been, especially with twins! How old are your twins now?
Ellie