DEAR ABBY: When I saw the letter from "Roseless Rosie," the happily married woman who complained that her husband failed to remember "important" dates, I had to write.
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My husband, Gene, is extraordinarily intelligent, kind and compassionate -- not to mention tall, handsome and a great lover. He's nice to me all the time, every day. The only time in 13 years that he came home from work without a great big smile on his face was the day a co-worker died in a tragic auto accident.
Gene's a fantastic father who adopted my daughter from a previous marriage. He is kind and patient with her, our son and my niece and nephew, for whom we are legal guardians.
And guess what? Gene never remembers "important" dates either, but I couldn't care less. Every day is an important day around here. If he ever brought me flowers, I'd probably start laughing and then complain that he had wasted his money! Abby, Gene is the only gift I need and the only one I really want.
"Roseless Rosie" should wise up and stop whining, then count her lucky stars. -- GENE'S WIFE, MOUNT HOLLY, VT.
DEAR GENE'S WIFE: You and your husband are fortunate indeed to have not only each other, but an understanding of what it takes to create an ideal marriage. Please don't be so hard on "Roseless Rosie," because her problem is one that has been presented to me many times.
A great deal of money is poured into promoting and advertising material things for "special occasions" -- and sometimes it causes people to forget that the most important element in a lasting relationship is how they treat each other every day.