On my birthday, my husband gave me a shower gel

On the morning of my birthday, I awoke to the soft sunlight streaming through the curtains and the distant sound of birds chirping—a perfect backdrop for what I hoped would be a special day. My husband, ever so thoughtful, had risen early to prepare a surprise. As I padded into the kitchen, a smile crept across my face when I saw him standing there, his hands wrapped around something small and brightly wrapped, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

With genuine enthusiasm, he handed me a beautifully wrapped gift, and my heart fluttered with anticipation. But when I unboxed it, my excitement quickly faded into confusion. Nestled inside the packaging was a bottle of shower gel.

Perhaps for many, this would be a utilitarian gift, something practical, but deep down, I had hoped for something that conveyed love, attention, or a hint of his understanding of my desires. We were fortunate enough to have a stable financial situation, and I felt a sharp pang of disappointment. I absorbed my feelings, pushing them deep down, determined not to show my hurt. After all, birthdays are meant to be celebrated, and I didn’t want to spoil this day for him.

In our conversations over the years, I had always been his biggest supporter, standing by him as he built his business from the ground up. I had sacrificed little luxuries for myself to ensure we had the resources to invest in his dreams. Surely, I had thought, he would remember my subtle hints about longing for a bouquet of flowers—a simple, classic gift that could brighten my day and echo our love for one another.

As I examined the bottle, my brow furrowed. The scent wafting from it struck me like a sudden chill; it was a fragrance I absolutely detested. In the back of my mind, I recalled instances where I had expressed my distaste for that particular scent, moments where he laughed and nodded, pretending to listen but clearly forgetting. My heart sank further as I realized he had chosen something that not only missed the mark but symbolized a lack of awareness and connection between us.

The facade I had carefully constructed began to crack. The weight of my disappointment grew heavier, and soon I could no longer hold back the tidal wave of emotions that had been building within me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring my vision as I replayed the day’s events in my mind. In a moment of frustration, I took the bottle and marched to the bathroom, where I unceremoniously flushed it down the toilet, watching it disappear as if to wash away the feelings of neglect I had felt.

In that moment, it wasn’t just about the shower gel. It was about feeling seen, cherished, and understood. I wanted to be reminded of our love through thoughtful gestures, not items that underscored a disconnection. As the swirling water carried my gift away, I realized I needed to address these feelings with him—not only for my own heart but for the sake of our relationship. After all, birthdays should be about more than gifts; they should be a celebration of love and understanding.