Since I was…born, I’ve had the hardest time shopping for birthday presents for boys. Whether it’s for my dad, my boy cousins, high school boyfriends, or now, my husband, I am so bad at this. I can’t get away with painting dad a picture with finger paints anymore, or writing my name on the card with my mom and “sharing” the gift. Luckily, I the guys in my life aren’t SUPER about birthdays. This gets me off the hook a little, but I still WANT to do something more or different than going out to dinner, birthday hugs, and store bought cakes.

However, when I think of something good, I get really proud of myself and I write a blog post about it. This year, for Chad’s birthday, we celebrated by getting out of our apartment for the night and staying downtown at the Linden Row Inn. I typed up directions for him and left them in his center console of his car so after work he could follow them and find himself “at” his present. He was equally excited to learn we were also going to Chili’s for dinner – you just can’t beat the Quesadilla Explosion Salad.

I’m still learning to read his likes and dislikes so I can really get good at gift-giving [one of those crazy Love Languages]. It takes a lot of creative thinking, advice from other wives, and tips from other dudes, but everyone is different. I know that I’d be THRILLED with Sweet Frog. Or a J.Crew shopping trip. Or a back yard cookout. Really, anything. And Chad might be too, but everyone is different. This year, we both really appreciated the quality time spent away from our apartment.

On a separate note, Chad turned 24!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!