Wow, that punt came from, um, left field.

Look, I agree that it is important to make allowances for each others' hobbies in a relationship. But I think Prudie fumbled this one.

I don't care what the reason, forgetting that you had planned a special romantic 10th anniversary, and going to a ball game instead (presumably not even the playoffs of his favorite team) is grounds for a 25 yard personal foul.

What if he instead just came home late when they were supposed to leave because he forgot and stayed late at a bar and got drunk with friends? (It's okay honey, I know how much you like to get smashed with your pals....)

I also understand that he might have momentarily forgotten about plans that were not yet concrete, but for chrissakes, upon being reminded, it should be HIS responsibility to either forfeit the game or come up with a brilliant two-minute offense to concoct with a revised game plan.

C'mon buddy, make an audible.

It sounds to me like Prudie has a football zombie in her own relationship, that is the only reason I can understand her porous defense on this one.

I this guy isn't careful, he will find that his mariage is on the verge of becoming a no-contact sport.

Funny! I actually don't agree with you, but your post was a chuckler.

I would give hubby a pass in this situation, but he would owe me big time.

Sarvis:

I also understand that he might have momentarily forgotten about plans that were not yet concrete, but for chrissakes, upon being reminded, it should be HIS responsibility to either forfeit the game or come up with a brilliant two-minute offense to concoct with a revised game plan.

He offered to sell the ticket...

The decision on who ought to get the pass is dependent on situational information we don't know about from only the letter.

Does he go to games all the time? Is this a special game? Is this a hard ticket to get? A long lost friend?....

At the end, one person gives a gift to the other of yielding. In a healthy relationship, it is understood who gave the gift to who, it is given willingly, and the recipient indeed owes the gift giver "big time," a debt also borne willingly.

I suggest that our ball fan could make a great investment in the long term future of the franchise by passing on this one game. Gladly and without remorse. If instead he does go to the game, he damn well better come up with one hell of a half time celebration in the offseason.

marcparis:

Sarvis:

I also understand that he might have momentarily forgotten about plans that were not yet concrete, but for chrissakes, upon being reminded, it should be HIS responsibility to either forfeit the game or come up with a brilliant two-minute offense to concoct with a revised game plan.

He offered to sell the ticket...

This just came to my mind, but since this is an etiquette forum. Didn't the LW say the ticket was given to her husband? (Maybe he lied) But I think it would be poor form to accept a ticket, make other plans, and then sell the ticket. Give it back or find someone else to give it to, but at least tell the person who gave it to you.

He indeed offered to sell the ticket. But at what point in the game?

What we don't know from the letter is whether that was offered immediately on the first play from scrimmage and without reservation, or only in desperation as the clock expired after sixty minutes of smashmouth football.

I assumed, from the tone of the letter, that this offer was extracted with some difficulty, a heave towards the end zone to avoid a sack.

That assumption could certainly be incorrect. But we can only take the letter at face value.

If he offered it at the coin flip, and she suspected his sincerity, then they have other problems.

Gladly and without remorse.

To me, that's one of the most important aspects in dealing with these little marital issues. Otherwise a good time will never be had by all.

Football tickets are sometimes hard to come by and expensive. Football season is also not very long compared to other sports, and is generally 1 day a week (2 if you watch Monday Night Football). They hadn't even made reservations yet and the mother shouldn't be so inflexible to switch weekends around. This is a perfect opportunity for this woman to do something selfless as an anniversary gift to her husband. Attending a football game is harmless.. its not like he wants to take off for the Vegas strip with a gaggle of buddies for a weekend of boozing, gambling and stippers. I think Prudie's advice was on point. Have him reschedule the romantic weekend.. you'll probably have a better time as he'll be that much more grateful to have a wife that is accepting of his harmless interests outside of her.

Pro tickets are expensive and hard to come by. I'd let him go, as long as we rescheduled. Of course, I'd only let him cancel the rescheduled weekend if he were in the hospital or in the morgue.

That is open to debate. It all depends on his level of zealousness.

If he starts with the preseason and watches every single college and pro game all the way to the last bowl game, plus canadian football, euro football, and follows the state high school season..... she is effectively widowed for 42% of every single year, five days of every seven.

Or is could be one game every three years, plus the playoffs.

Just sayin', we don't know their actual story.

He sure doesn't get a pass! Dishonouring previous commitments is a no-no in society let alone in marriage. In addition, this man offered to sell a ticket that had been given to him. He would take money for something that was given to him as a gift. What an All-American cad.

Trawna:

He sure doesn't get a pass! Dishonouring previous commitments is a no-no in society let alone in marriage. In addition, this man offered to sell a ticket that had been given to him. He would take money for something that was given to him as a gift. What an All-American cad.

Sorry, but if this was indeed a "second honeymoon" (BS), then it was of the "let's-maybe-do-something-some­-time honeymoon" type.

He doesn't get a free pass. He has to pay for it by handling the reschedule and then making the new plans.

I think Prudie's suggestion was great. She gives him his time at the game, he organizes a thoughtful vacation focused on her in return.

That's the kind of compromise that both get to show how much they care about the other and why they have been able to keep it going for 10 years.

Sarvis:

I don't care what the reason, forgetting that you had planned a special romantic 10th anniversary,

But they hadn't planned a special romantic trip. All that had been done thus far was to arrange to have a babysitter on hand. There is no reason that they can't have a special, romantic anniversary celebration the weekend after or the weekend before, even assuming that their anniversay actually fell on the weekend specified.

Sarvis:

What if he instead just came home late when they were supposed to leave because he forgot and stayed late at a bar and got drunk with friends?

I fail to see the relevance. What if he turned into a penguin because he accidently hitched a ride on a ship with an Infinite Improbability Drive? Isn't this game fun?

Sarvis:

it should be HIS responsibility to either forfeit the game or come up with a brilliant two-minute offense to concoct with a revised game plan.

I would hope that either one of them could come up with the very easy, "Let's go this other weekend instead." plan.