When Fitness Equipment was Not a Good Valentine's Gift

I am hoping to not have a repeat of last year's Valentine's Day. I had a bad feeling going into it, which unfortunately proved to be warranted, when my husband's BIG surprise confirmed my worst suspicion.

We had agreed that this would be a "no gift" holiday. Then a few days before Valentine's Day he asked what my plans for the day where. Not a good sign. When I put the heat on him, he replied that he was having "something" delivered and I would need to be home to accept it. Not good. Unless someone would be "delivering" a kitchen renovation (planned now for 5 years) this was going to be bad. I knew just how bad. Let me help you understand.

About 12 years ago, my husband got me what I frequently and vocally referred to as the "Best Christmas Gift" ever. It may sound strange but it was an Precor Elliptical Fitness Cross Trainer. I had complained so often about waiting for a turn at the Y, that he got me my own machine. I didn't have to share with anyone. It was all mine and it was my sanity.

You have to understand that this machine and I became one for 40 minutes nearly everyday. I have always loved to read but there is never time, except while working out. I can't count all the good books I have read while on my machine. But it wasn't just the convenience factors.

There were emotional factors involved here, too. I had recovered physically and emotionally after a miscarriage and had the joy of watching my third baby sleep peacefully to the sound of my Precor. I had watched the coverage of 9/11 with shock and disbelief and cried when the Today Show covered the horrific aftermath, as loved ones held out hope and heroes were revealed.

As my children grew older it became harder to keep them and their friends from "playing exercise" on my machine. Then when they became real athletes; I had to begrudgingly share, but I did not do it joyfully. In 12 years, I only had it serviced once (broken belt) and the wait for that repairman was torture. I did not want a repeat of that downtime.

So, knowing my husband, I had a feeling that he had done what any rational fitness conscious person would do. After 12 years there was new technology. Wouldn't I love a new machine more? Wouldn't it be a better workout? NO. Knowing where he was going with this, I even dropped the hint that my machine was perfect and needed no replacement. He wasn't listening.

On Valentine's Day when the call came, I was still hoping this was something small. Something he'd thought of that I hadn't. When I answered the phone, I replied that I was Rebecca Weikert and that yes, I was home. Then I cautiously asked, what the delivery was? Innocently and with youthful delivery boy enthusiasm, he said, "It is a Precor Elliptical." GRRRREAT. I am psychic.

Except, after I put the phone down and picked it back up and called my husband, I was furious and crying. It was mad crying. I didn't get to speak directly with my husband so I left a message. The polite version would be something like "thanks a lot" with real sarcasm, but I don't think that was the version I used. It was something else.

When the delivery boys arrived, they explained that they needed to see where the new Precor would go. On auto, I was trying to think, and then they dropped the bomb. "We can just put it where the old one is." Huh? But that would mean.... Yes, that's right, as a part of the deal they would haul the old machine away. Now I am really mad. And the delivery boys look frightened. I am sure they were thinking that they were making a delivery to a crazy woman. I tried to explain, but how could I? Awkward.

Thinking back, I 'm not sure why it didn't occur to me until after they left, but I should have just said "NO". I did have the presence of mind to tell them they would just need to move the old machine to the garage. There was no way they would be taking it away. It was still perfect. I know they secretly thought I was insulted that my husband thought fitness equipment was a romantic Valentine's Day gift. Heck, I'm sure they thought fitness equipment was a romantic gift. That wasn't it, but why should I have to explain to them, or anybody.

Everybody who heard about the really "bad Valentine's Day gift Doug gave Becky" thinks I was upset that my husband got me workout equipment. It made me look unappreciative of my husband's thoughtful gift. There is much more to the story. I now understand that he was just trying to make me happy. But, the fact remains that he wasn't listening. Not listening does not win you points. Sorry.

It took awhile, but after weeks of refusing to talk about the new machine, or even try it, I had to give in. It was, after all, a Precor. It did have more functions, bells and whistles. Plus, my old machine was taking up a lot of room in the garage. So, I did what every cheapskate (who now has two fitness machines) does. I moved on.

I listed my beloved "gently used" Precor in The Tennessean. My phone rang off the hook. For a while, I made lots of excuses to not have anyone come and take a look. Then, when I could take the calls no more, I sold it (major bargain price in my opinion) to the first person that came to look at it. I stood and watched it go down the driveway. Very sad.

I still have my memories after all, and I'm pretty sure that my husband won't make that mistake again.