I should have known when, during the first month of our now forty-seven-year marriage, she served Lobster to me for dinner! At the time, we were poor, and I remember being upset that she had spent the money on such a fine meal. I mean, after all, my Mom was raised on an Idaho farm and I was brought up being served Potatoes in every imaginable way. Scallop, mashed, baked, boiled, potato casserole, and probably some other ways that I can’t even remember. So when my new bride bought Lobster, well, I didn’t know what to think! I should have known right then that the girl I chose for a wife was going to make every day with her a ‘fine dining experience!’

This past week, my wife’s sister was in town, and we went out to high-end restaurants three times. Each restaurant had its special way of serving us the meal. And each one charged us for such a service. I’m not sure about you, but when I eat at such places, I always feel special. Perhaps it’s because it is a rarity that I do so. The chain restaurants are more common for me.

And so, as I looked at my wife across the expensive table this week, I couldn’t help but think that if I dined at such places all the time, I might begin to take for granted the little things they do that make you feel so important. It dawned on me as I looked across the table at my wife talking to her sister that maybe, just maybe, I had become accustomed to a wife who was of the ‘fine dining’ type. One who has been by my side so long that I have forgotten how special she is to me and how much effort she puts into looking like a million bucks! And what an outstanding person I have by my side. And how proud I am to have her on my arm. I need to stop taking for granted my ‘fine dining’ wife and the experience she gives me each day.

If you have a spouse who provides you with a ‘fine dining’ life, don’t forget to give them a big tip! I’m not talking about the monetary kind, I’m talking about love that is genuine and sincere.

So HAPPY 47TH ANNIVERSARY, honey! Every day with you is like a ‘fine dining’ experience! (By the way, I did spend quite a bit of money on this year’s gift. So, yeah, money is still important…I know!)