My husband and I had to switch vehicles a few days ago. I drive a truck since I’m usually hauling a crew of boys around (and because, truth be told, I love the truck and its horn). My husband drives a little wagon perfect for decent gas mileage and getting in and out of tight spots, which is super for him because he’s all over the place for work. However, on this day I had a doctor appointment in Seattle. The garage at the doctor’s doesn’t accommodate anything over a peapod on wheels (yes, hyperbole, but not too far off). Hence the great vehicle swap of 2016.
My husband woke early to swap work gear and tools from his car to the truck. After he’d left I cringed. I forgot to get my sunglasses from the truck. I knew he’d be in Seattle, but he was in a different area, far from my path (mileage wise, not far; traffic wise, forget about it).
I got ready, locked the house, and hopped in the car. I went to drop my phone in the holder and there, neatly placed, were my sunglasses. I nearly cried, seriously tears welled in my eyes. It’s not like it was sunny, it was a typical overcast rainy one moment, torrential downpour with deep charcoal skies the next, followed by light gray clouds back-lit by the suns’ rays. It’s the latter that makes my eyes water. It’s also something I’ve never mentioned to my husband.
Add in that we rarely swap vehicles and you see why his thoughtfulness of transferring my sunglasses hit me so hard.
No matter how much money a person spends, no matter how far they go out of their way for a gift, nothing says “I love you,” more than a person who takes note of a tiny, nearly insignificant, quirk you have.
It’s easy to buy things. It’s a rare and truly wonderful gift to know the smallest details of the person you love.
Take note of those in your life. They don’t need dinners or fancy gifts, they need you to remember something special about them, something they’ve maybe said once in all the times you’ve hung out.
When someone remembers your name or remembers a drink you like or any other small thing, it makes you feel respected, appreciated, cared about.
I challenge you to find a tiny, minute, detail about a spouse, a friend, or a co-worker. Then sometime in the next week do something that recognizes that little detail and that doesn’t cost money. It’s harder than you think. Maybe a co-worker is bummed that she hasn’t found someone to walk with. You could be her walking partner or at the very least, offer to walk with her one day. Or maybe you have a friend who is tired of driving everyday for work. Maybe you can give her a lift one day.
There’s always something we can do that will brighten someone’s day and that will mean more than any $5 coffee card ever could.
And remember to value the small things people do to brighten your day.