I forgot to give my husband his birthday card this year. I didn’t forget his birthday. That would be unforgivable. I just forgot the card. Actually, I didn’t forget, I had it in the drawer at home, but we weren’t at home on his birthday. So to my credit, I got him a card.

A couple weeks later, I stumbled upon it in the drawer. It was a nice card and I’d chosen it carefully. I’d read through at least half a dozen before finding the perfect one. This one was genuine. I could have written the words myself. I wish I had, but that would have taken more effort than finding one. His birthday may have been weeks ago, but there is no time like the present. I figured if I didn’t use it this year, I’d forget about it by next year and then I’d go out a buy a new one. 

I put the card on the kitchen table. It had the words “Happy birthday to my husband” on the cover in big letters. It sat there for a day, unnoticed. I was afraid one of the kids might spill root beer on it so I pointed it out to him. 

“Here’s the birthday card I had for you,” I said, handing it to him. And then I had my eureka moment. The card was perfect. And it was still brand new. Not even written on.  Why use it this year only? Why not have it do double (or triple) duty?

“Read it now and then I’ll give it to you again next year,” I said, knowing it would be like new to both of us 12 months from now. He smiled. “Good idea,” he said.

Crazy, right? It’s amazing how two people can think alike after lots of years of marriage. It’s a gift.“You can do the same for my birthday,” I said. “We can give each other the same card year after year.” I was surprised and disappointed in myself that we hadn’t thought of this sooner. 

“We’ll save money,” he said. I laughed. “A couple of dollars.” I’ve always been good at math.

“Plus it saves us time each year,” he said. Again, practicality and intellect — from my perspective, two of his top four favorite features. 

I forgot my husband’s birthday card this year, but I think all in all, things are turning out quite nicely. He had a regular birthday and then he got a revisit a couple of weeks later. It’s like two birthdays in one with a reusable card that will never expire. And he agreed to it; practically came up with the idea himself. 

After all these years he continues to amaze me — in a good way.

— Jill Pertler’s column normally appears Wednesdays in the Times.