I wish you could have seen his eyes. There it was – big, plastic, red, and full of cold, hard cash! He could not believe what he was seeing and the look on his face made it all worth it.
It was the day after our wedding, and Eric and I had been travelling all day. We started out in Goldsboro, North Carolina; flew out of Raleigh, North Carolina; flew into Reno, Nevada; and, we finally ended up in South Lake Tahoe on the California side. Exhausted, we dragged our belongings into the rustic cabin to which he went each summer growing up. We were finally married and on our honeymoon. Wow.
The night before, we exchanged gifts. He handed me a card and a journal. Before he met me, he started writing letters to his future spouse! How sweet!!! To his surprise, I had done the same thing! So, that night we both gave each other a book full of can’t wait to meet you letters. Great minds think alike, I guess! What Eric did not know was I had a little something extra planned for us and I am thankful I kept it a secret.
Bacon
Before Eric and I began dating, I bought the cutest plastic piggy bank from the Dollar Tree. Back in my college days, my friends and I spent a lot of time at that store. It was near campus and the prices were right! After getting my new bank home, I decided to name it Bacon (as I grew up instructed that any object with a face must also have a name). Then, somewhere along the line I had a lightbulb moment. I am going to save money in my new pig – either for a 25th birthday shopping spree or my honeymoon – whichever comes first!
Soon after I began feeding my new piggy friend, Eric and I started dating. Before we knew it, we were engaged and our wedding date was set. Our planned date did not give me much time to fill Bacon, but I did my best and ended up with a nice little chunk of change. Not to mention, any amount of money is nice when you are not expecting any. ~smile~
Here is where I was naïve and unwise: I packed Bacon – full of money – into my checked luggage! Looking back now, I feel silly and thankful that no one decided to shop in my suitcase!
Surprise!
After we arrived in Lake Tahoe and got some rest, I pulled Bacon out of my bag and surprised Eric. He was shocked and elated. He planned the honeymoon and brought money, of course, but here was a large (at least to us at the time) sum of money we could simply blow on whatever we wanted! Once in a lifetime, it is nice to have some Benjamins to spend on whatever silly experience or object you want.
We pulled out the money – ones, fives, tens, twenties, and hundreds. Eric counted it all and rolled in it. He had a blast before we ever spent a dime. His reaction was priceless, which made it even more of a treat for me than for him.
All these years later, I cannot remember everything we bought. We played miniature golf and air hockey. We did a lunch cruise on the MS Dixie II. We ate yummy food. We bought towels (random, I know) that we still use today. We may not remember all the details, but we remember the fun and free feeling of not having to worry about money – at least for a week.
Are You Ready to Bring the Bacon?
So, what do you think? Why not bring some Bacon into your marriage?
It is simple. Find a piggy bank, or box, or other safe hiding place. When you have a few extra dollars, feed Bacon. If you get a small raise, feed Bacon. If you get some birthday money, feed a little to Bacon. If you do an odd job or get some unexpected cash, feed Bacon. Feed him and dream of what is to come.
When the time comes, take the money out, travel with it (if you are flying) on your person, and put it back in your piggy bank once you arrive. Don’t gamble like I did. ~smile~
Today, Bacon still sits on our bookshelf. Maybe we should fill him again and wait for another opportunity to spend money with no worries or regrets. You know what? That sounds like a fabulous idea.
Are you going to bring the Bacon into your marriage?
Leave a Reply