You can buy a card for pretty much anything---any possible event or emotion. From having a baby to having a hysterectomy, Hallmark has something to hit the spot.
Today marks a hallmark in my life so by rights it should be a Hallmark day. But I don't think I'd find an appropriate card I could have sent to my ex-husband.
Today was our anniversary.
Although Hollywood has a few fractured but friendly couples, I don't think Hallmark has yet recognized the marketing appeal of this demographic. If they wanted an expert, I could have invented a few cards for the occasion (you'll have to imagine appropriate artwork).
Outside: Happy Anniversary to us
Inside: Happy April Fools Day, too
or
Outside: And they said it wouldn't last.....
Inside: It didn't.
You get the idea.
Like every bride on her wedding day, I truly believed I was living the ultimate Hallmark moment as I said my vows 31 years ago today.
Actually I sobbed my vows--and never pronounced the words "I do." H and I used to joke that maybe our wedding wasn't really legal.
We divorced 14 years and 2 children later. And despite that, we are very lucky compared to many couples like ourselves. We always put the children first. We still speak. We're still friends.
And I would send a card today if Hallmark made one for ex-married couples. In fact I think they should.
And here's my take on what it could say:
Outside: Today is not our anniversary anymore, but we still have something to celebrate.
Inside: (No words--just a slot to insert a photo of our kids)
Note to Hallmark: feel free to steal this idea. I'd still buy the card.
Cross-posted on 50-something Moms blog .
I really think the "It didn't" one is great. Hallmark should definitely take note.
Posted by: kimberly/tippytoes | February 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM
My divorce was/is not as amicable as yours, but I loved the idea that I read about a divorce shower. And luckily, it's a friend's bday on the day that I got my divorce papers so I always remember that day fondly...
Posted by: April | February 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Thanks Kimberly, if Hallmark contacts me, will let you know. LOL.
Sorry April your divorce was less "friendly" but sounds like you manage to put it in perspective. I never heard of a divorce shower but like the idea, too.
Posted by: Darryle | February 10, 2009 at 03:18 PM
We're not divorced, but our kids give us reason to pull our hair out. You must have angels for kids. heh heh. Really. Not kidding.
Posted by: terri | February 10, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Hey, I pulled my hair out plenty of times too. And then cancer did it for me. LOL. But from here, especially now that they're grown up, my kids ARE angels.
Posted by: Darryle | February 10, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Well, maybe my kids will miraculously turn into angles as soon as they move out of the house. Then I will wish they were back in the house with me again. Or not.
Posted by: terri | February 11, 2009 at 08:38 PM
LOL! Re: Not a Hallmark Momement. Though I have seen cards for "congrats on your eye lift", you never see one for some of the more poignant moments in life. Why do we have to mark the occasions just because they are happy ones. The sad ones make us who we are too, don't they. And if we can see a bit of humor in that, isn't that okay?
Posted by: minivangal | February 18, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I love that idea! My ex and I started dating when I was 15, married when I was 20, and divorced when I was 29. We have 2 daughters and 6 grandkids.
I love that man dearly, and he loves me (and tells me so), but we know we are far better friends than man and wife. He is my dearest man friend and to this day (I am 53), I can still tell him pretty much anything.
Posted by: Debbie | July 08, 2009 at 12:54 PM