The one where I thought I knew him

I know my husband. Like really know him. I’d know if he got a new freckle, I know him that well. I know what every look in his eyes means. I know how he’ll react to any given situation. I know what he wants to eat before he eats it {maybe}. I know him.

Or so I thought.

This past weekend we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. Aren’t we cute?

So Hubby booked us a weekend in Sydney. We didn’t do gifts, because we don’t need more stuff. There was a moment last week when I said, “I can’t wait to see my 10 year anniversary ring. I bet it’s big!” But I was jesting. I knew there was no ring, because I know my husband. But we’ve already got that clear.

My husband likes things to be traditional and not trendy or quirky. He doesn’t really like fancy, and he definitely doesn’t like fuss. So when he booked the trendiest hotel in Sydney, I was slightly surprised. Shocked even.

There were creepy hands coming out from the walls and a haunted mirror down the hall… and each time we hopped in the lift a song blasted out that we couldn’t resist either dancing to, or breaking out into song with.

We did predictable things like eat all the bao and dumplings we could muster.

Even sweet bao from Messina.

I watched as the husband that I really know, got excited about the Sydney he’d lived in since he was born. We only left 3 years ago, but somehow it was like he’d never seen the Opera House before in his life.

And the Harbour Bridge too. “I think they’re cleaning it!” he enthused.

I was a little shocked when my husband, who is known as ‘bear’ to his friends because of his ability to hibernate and not want to go anywhere, dragged me around the City for walks each day. Not small walks either. We were hitting our 10,000 step targets by 10am. WHO EVEN WERE WE?

He dragged me through the Botanical Gardens, and Hyde Park, and through the City.

There were a few times when I pulled him aside, which was right after he kept talking about Sydney with a look of love that I’m only seen when he talked about me, and said “WHO ARE YOU? And what have you done with my husband?”

I thought I knew him. I did. I thought I knew him. I thought he was predictable, and that after 10 years I knew everything. The biggest shock of all came just as we left for the airport to head home. We were on the side of the street, waiting for a taxi, with our suitcase at our feet. Now, you should know my husband can appear intimidating. He’s big and muscly, with tattoos up and down his arms. He’s also one of the most street smart people I know. He works in crime, so he knows stuff. He reads the news, a lot. He’s usually sussed out situations before I’ve even blinked. It’s one of my favourite things about him. He’s clued in about everything.

A monk came walking down the street. It was early morning, so the street was quiet. It was pretty much us and the monk. I smiled, because it was a monk in the City and I smile at everyone {and I realised that most people in Sydney don’t actually smile back}. But the monk did, and then he approached us.

“Peace! Peace!” he enthused, shoving gold tokens in our hands, “Peace!”

I thanked him. “Give him some money,” I encouraged Hubby, so he gave him $10.

“Peace! Peace!” the monk continued, grateful for a mere second for the $10 but then irritated because he wanted more. He pulled out his notebook and motioned for us to write our names and our wishes, “Peace! Peace!”

So I wrote my name and my wish for ‘Peace!’. He then showed me that the people before me had donated more than us. “Peace! Peace!” he urged.

I should have realised that the handwriting on all the names above ours was the same, in other words handwriting of the ‘monk’. I should have. I pulled out my purse, knowing I had nothing in it, and said, “I’m sorry, I have no money.”

The monk looked more agitated. And then my husband, the street smart, clued in, intimidating guy, opened his wallet and pulled out a FIFTY {a FIFTY!}… and gave it to him. That monk was so happy. “Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace!” He handed us a little bracelet each, which I’m sure he picked up from the markets for 50cents and then he walked off. Happy.

IMG_6704

“I think we just got scammed,” I worried.

“Nah,” Hubby replied, “It’s legit.”

I started to wonder if I knew my husband at all. The hotel. The walking {ALL the walking}. The enthusiasm for the City, and then the monk. Maybe I didn’t know him at all.

We put on our bracelets and embraced the peace. I think we both knew we were scammed, but we were so loved up, and blissed-out from being kid-free that we didn’t care. “These $30 bracelets are awesome, aren’t they?” Hubby laughed later in the day.

And there it was. The Hubby I knew. The one who could make a joke out of everything, even if it did cost him $60 {damn!}.

39 thoughts on “The one where I thought I knew him”

  4. It sounds like you had a lovely anniversary weekend! And there’s nothing better than the people we know and love surprising us. Happy Anniversary!

  6. Matching anniversary bracelets… bet they’re awesome. And I love how S lets his enthusiasm and inner child free for the weekend. Kept you on your toes and interested to see how the next decade goes, hey? 😉

  7. All the cute right there! I think that’s one of the best things about relationships, those little surprises that make us look at our partners in a whole new light, and it sparks a little something more. Happy anniversary- what an awesome weekend! x

    • I do, but I would miss the life we have now more. I miss being in the heart of everything, but I realise now that I didn’t take advantage of it as much as I should have. I miss the good food, but I here on the coast the food is improving each month and some is even better than Sydney.

      So, I miss it. But I still think we made the best decision to move. 🙂

  11. Aww, you guys! This made me smile. It’s a very good thing when you can get to 10 years of marriage and still be able to surprise one another and make each other laugh. You’ve obviously got something very special. Here’s to your next 10 years. And the 10 after that. And the 10 after that. And… well, you get the idea! x

  12. That’s so lovely to read, Chantelle, and all the more to read how wonderfully bound the two of you are. That’s such a strength to your children, whether they know it or not.

  13. Ah scams. Make the best memories when you’re loved up! Haha similar thing happened to my partner and I in Vanuatu, only it was a young man with two lizards. We were totally scammed 500vt but we have the memory together and some really great photos! Haha! <3 love and peace x

  14. This is such a sweet post! It is nice to know that even after 10 years of marriage your husband can surprise you. I think it is so easy to slip into the every day complacency once you are married with kids. This is a nice reminder to really be involved and enjoy my husband when I get to spend time with him. We are off to Melbourne in a few weeks for our four year anniversary. I hope our trip is as fun and enlightening as yours was!

  19. What a lovely weekend celebration. I was smiling the whole time reading this post. Congratulations on 10 years, I wish you and your husband many more years.

  21. Such a lovely read. Happy 10th anniversary. My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this year as well. Happy days. x

  22. Ha! What a cool ending to your story. But an expensive one. Haha!
    Sounds like a great unpredictable adventure away. Our 10 yr anniversary is next year and I recently asked if we could go away for a week the two of us. My husband said he can’t imagine being away from our son that long ever! Whoa. Surprise. Damn it!

Comments are closed.

Photo a day Privacy Policy Work with me

Copyright © 2023 Fat Mum Slim