The Metal Box

Inspired by Mrs. Dolphin's post about her most unexpected wedding gift, I thought I'd share a gift that we received from my Aunt and Uncle.  It's amazingly unique and sweet, and I figured most of you would be able to appreciate it.

Everything was wrapped up in a pretty travel-themed hat box.

On top of the tissue there was a book, covered in red wrapping paper and with a bookmark holding a page.

The bookmark read, "Before opening your box, please read the story 'The Metal Box.'"

So, in front of all my new in-laws, I read.

From Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul:

The Metal Box

     Last weekend, we celebrated my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary.  This morning, they left on a long awaited trip to Hawaii.  They were as excited as if it were their honeymoon.

     When my parents married, they had only enough money for a three-day trip fifty miles from home.  They made a pact that each time they made love, they would put a dollar in a special metal box and save it for a honeymoon in Hawaii for their fiftieth anniversary. 

     Dad was a policeman, and Mom was a schoolteacher.  They lived in a modest house and did all their own repairs.  Raising five children was a challenge, and sometimes money was short, but no matter what emergency came up, Dad would not let Mom take any money out of the "Hawaii account."  As the account grew, they put it in a savings account and then bought CDs.

     My parents were always very much in love.  I can remember dad coming home and telling Mom, "I have a dollar in my pocket," and she would smile at him and reply, "I know how to spend it."

     When each of us children married, Mom and Dad gave us a small metal box and told us their secret, which we found enchanting.  All five of us are now saving for our dream honeymoons.  Mom and Dad never told us how much money they ha managed to save, but it must have been considerable because when they cashed in those CDs they had enough for airfare to Hawaii plus hotel accommodations for ten days and plenty of spending money.

     As they told us goodbye before leaving, Dad winked and said, "Tonight, we are starting an account for Cancun.  That should only take twenty-five years."

Ann Landers

Umm, this is Mr. Doxie wondering why I'm taking pictures for my blog instead of going to sleep.  C'est la vie!

Anyway, when I had finished reading the story aloud, I pulled the tissue paper back to unveil the gift.

Tucked inside was a small, vintage metal box.

I opened the box to find 100 $1 bills!

And under the bills, a poem:  

"The Doxie's"

May 22, 2010

Your vacation fund's been started just to help you out.

We're sure it will keep growing, we're sure without a doubt.

It's a wedding gift that's special and also unlike few.

It's a lifetime of saving's while having fun times too!

With love on your wedding day,

Aunt Lori & Uncle Gary

And of course my mom had to chime in with, "And from what I hear about Mr. Doxie, you guys will be in Hawaii in no time!!"  Our faces turned about a hundred shades of red.  

This was definitely our most memorable wedding gift, and even one that we may consider copying as future wedding guests.  

What was the most creative wedding gift you received?  Or, if you're not yet married, have you given any super imaginative gifts?