Our Birdbath Is Faded, Chipped, And Cracked. That's Okay. We Still Love It.

We had a massive heatwave back in July of 2013. Hazy. Hot. Humid. The heat index was over 100. It was disgusting and swampy. We had both of our air conditioners blasting. Dinners consisted of sandwiches and salads because I wasn't going to turn the oven on. One afternoon during this heatwave, Lisa sent me a text when she arrived home from work. 

"Meet me at the front porch."

That was an odd request because the driveway was on the side of our home and Lisa always used the side entrance. 

I didn't realize she had already pulled up to the front of the house. I took my time scooping the freshly made pasta salad into a container and into the refrigerator and washing my hands. I grabbed the camera along the way because there was probably a good reason why she wanted me to meet her at the front porch.

When I opened the front door, I saw Lisa standing on the path that led to our front porch. Her face was red. She was sweating. Her shirt was soaked. 

I immediately felt guilty for the 5 minutes between her text and when I actually opened the door.

Lisa was holding a gorgeous birdbath. It was a "just because" gift. 

For those of you just joining us, Lisa and I do not exchange Christmas gifts with each other. Instead, throughout the year, we surprise each other with "just because" gifts.

I was so surprised. I snapped a photo. She put the birdbath on the side of the path before getting back into our car and pulling into the driveway.

She was so proud of herself for surprising me. I apologized for making her wait and explained why. 

Since that day, the birdbath has always been on the front lawn or path of our old home during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. It has faded over the years. There is a small crack where the water resides. It's tattered and chipped in a few spots.

During the process of packing in weeks before buying a house in February, the topic of the birdbath came up one night over dinner.

Lisa asked if I wanted to get rid of the birdbath. She promised to buy me another one this Spring. 

Without hesitation, I told her no. 

"But why? This one is faded and cracked and chipped."

"I don't care. I remember the day you bought me the birdbath. I even have a photo of you standing there in the hot sun during that excruciating heatwave. And how you waited for almost 5 minutes until I opened the front door and walked onto the porch. You didn't budge despite how hot you were. I love that memory. That story. We can always repaint the birdbath and fix the crack. I don't want a new one. I want the one you bought me in 2013."

Lisa swallowed a mouthful of food and took a sip of her iced coffee.

"Well, okay then. It's coming with us."

And, it did. 

It's out in one of our backyards now. 

The birds and the squirrels love it. 

And so do I.