As I've mentioned before on this blog, I'm a saver. I save every little thing that has even the slightest bit of sentimental value, and seeing as how I'm extremely sentimental, that a lot of little things. Thankfully, those little things are mostly paper items because, (surprise, surprise), they have meaningful words on them.
I have letters from pen pals dating all the way back to elementary school, including those written by a soldier from Mississippi that I corresponded with during Operation Desert Storm.
I have a reply from Dear Abby when my sixth grade self wrote to her complaining about my horribly mean Social Sudies teacher. (She really was quite awful. Back me up here, Claire!)
I have the elegant invitation from my Junior Ring Dance at Richmond and assorted Save-the-Dates from cherished friends.
There are ticket stubs from wine festivals and plane tickets from all our travels and colorful post-it love notes that Jon has left around the house for me.
Of course, as opposites tend to attract, Jon saves nothing. He enjoys making fun of me for being attached to inanimate objects, but to that I say, "Honey, be thankful it all fits into shoeboxes!"
And sometimes, not very often, but sometimes, the fact that I'm such a saver works out in his favor. I ripped the coupons below off the paper menus from the Montego Bay Margaritaville on the way home from our honeymoon. That's right, the honeymoon we took three years ago. I've held onto them the entire time, waiting patiently for our next visit to a Margaritaville for my favorite alcoholic beverage.
Turns out, we'll be stopping by the original Margaritaville at some point during our trip to Key West (T minus two days!) and we'll definitely be redeeming them for our two free margaritas. I'd say that's a very happy ending for my treasured keepsake and Jon's thrifty wallet!
