Thursday, October 23, 2008

Germans Don't Do Compliments

Did you ever see the Becks beer commercials featuring uncomfortable, emotionless Germans on dates or trying to perform Romeo and Juliet? The tag line was, "Germans don't do romance. Germans do beer."


That has been my life for the past 14 years with my husband of German descent. I've learned to see his affection and regard for me in other, less obvious ways. His getting the car detailed the morning we brought home our first daughter was his way of saying, "You are amazing and deserve the best." He figured out by daughter #2 that jewelry says it better.

You can imagine my complete, well, awe this morning when My German Husband gave me an outright compliment. Our daughters received their report cards yesterday and they were pretty darn great. Okay, they are only in kindergarten and second grade, but we are very proud of them just the same.

So, as I announced my first official paying freelance gig, my husband said, "You know, I've been thinking. The girls' reports cards were so great and that is all because of you, everything you do. Don't kill yourself with this substituting thing."

There were tears glistening in his eyes, no less. My mouth dropped right open. This is turning out to be quite a day!

4 comments:

Pseudo said...

What a great day all around.

Anonymous said...

The best compliments are always the ones you least expcet, from the people least likely to give them.

Jannie Funster said...

Freaking-A!

He sounds like a nice guy.

Is his name Hel-moot?

Was he born in Germany?

My real last name is a German one, hubby's folks caome from Das Olde Kountry,

No, never saw those commerials. Where the heck have I been?

Anonymous said...

What a great day you had. Congrats on the report cards, and the freelance gig. I want to hear more about that when you have time. Best of luck with it.

Your husband sounds awesome. I guess we won't have to discuss daycare now. Good for you!