Couldn't Afford A Ring

When I was 2 and 3, there was a boy who lived across the road who was the same age. His mum and my mum got on really well, and are still close friends to this day.

Tom and I used to play together a lot - he was the first friend I can remember.

We have this photo of us, aged about 3, which is one of my favourite photos of me from that time. I used to lead our games and antics, and one day I clearly said "Let's play Wedding" or "Let's pretend to get married" or something like that. Anyway, in this photo I'm wearing a white tutu, a straw hat, and holding a bunch of red plastic flowers. Tom is just wearing his ordinary clothes - his attire clearly wasn't so important!

He and I have received flack from his dad about this ever since. Calling me Tom's wife all the time, etc. It used to annoy me slightly, but now I just think it's cute :) Tom does too - he had the photo has his profile pic on Facebook for a long time.

I was thinking the other day about how he'll have to show this photo at his 21st, as will I.

I started having this fantasy conversation in my head.....

Let me set the scene for you:

Tom's 21st party is in full swing. All his aunties, uncles and cousins are all there, as are a large group of his friends (including some girls). He and his family have prepared a slideshow of photos, showing Tom at various times in his life, and with most of the people at the party. When I hear about this, I say to his dad (who's been overseeing the whole thing)

"I hope you put our wedding photo in!"

One of Tom's female friends (who probably has a slight crush on him) turns to me in surprise and the conversation from then on goes a little like this....

Friend: WEDDING photo??

Me: Yeah, didn't you know?

Friend: No!!! So...you're Tom's WIFE????

Me (smiling slyly): Uh huh.

Friend: Gosh...wow....but...you don't wear a ring.

Me: Well, when we got married, he couldn't afford a ring. We couldn't afford much at all really. He didn't have a suit, and I had to be content with plastic flowers!

Friend: Plastic flowers??

Me: Yeah, but it was okay - I still got a white dress :) And it was the happiest day of my life, so I didn't care about the flowers really. You look at the photo, and we just look so happy :)

At this point, Tom is probably nearly wetting himself.

When the photo of "our wedding" does come up, he and I (and more than half the room) will erupt with laughter, and his friend will look confused for a couple of seconds, and then realise that I've been having her on :)

I have imaginary conversations with people all the time, but this one was the best yet :)

I laughed to myself for the rest of the day.