One morning, a wife finds a note from her husband on the fridge.
“My dear wife,
I hope you’ll understand that I have certain needs that, at 57 years old, you can no longer fulfill. I want you to know that I’m very happy with you and appreciate you as a wonderful wife. So, I hope you won’t misinterpret the fact that tonight I’ll be spending time with my 19-year-old secretary at the Comfort Inn hotel. Please don’t be upset—I’ll be home before midnight.”
Later that night, when the husband returned home, he found a note from his wife waiting for him on the dining table.
“My dear husband,
Thank you for your note and for your honesty about me being 57 years old. I’d like to remind you that you’re also 57.
As you know, I am a math teacher at our local college. So, while you’re reading this, I’m at the Hotel Fiesta with Michael, one of my students who’s also the assistant tennis coach. He’s young, full of energy, and, like your secretary, is 19 years old.
As a successful businessman with a solid grasp of math, I trust you’ll understand that we’re in a similar situation, with one small difference: 19 goes into 57 more times than 57 goes into 19. So, I won’t be home until sometime tomorrow.”
The husband’s smugness quickly turned to shock as he read his wife’s clever response. Her note wasn’t just a witty comeback; it was a well-crafted reminder of her intelligence and sense of humor. In her calm, calculated way, she showed him that she wasn’t someone to be taken for granted.
Not only did she match his tone, but she also managed to turn the tables, leaving him with a sense of surprise and maybe a little bit of regret. Her playful yet pointed response demonstrated that their marriage wasn’t simply about fulfilling “needs” but was a partnership built on mutual respect—and perhaps a reminder that age is just a number.
Her words subtly conveyed the importance of appreciation and honesty in a relationship. While he may have intended his note as a playful excuse, she gave him a light-hearted but unforgettable lesson in equality, proving that sometimes a dose of humor and a well-placed metaphor can deliver the perfect response.
As the husband sat there, rereading her note, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and a little humility. His wife’s response wasn’t just clever; it was a reminder of the sharp, witty woman he’d fallen in love with all those years ago. She hadn’t reacted with anger or frustration; instead, she showed grace and humor, using his own words to craft a response that made him reconsider his actions.
The brilliance of her response lay in the message between the lines. She wasn’t just addressing his note—she was subtly reminding him of the value of their years together and the strength of their bond. In her calm and humorous way, she made it clear that while they both might have the same “freedom,” respect and commitment were still at the core of their relationship.
It was a wake-up call for him, reminding him that love doesn’t fade with age, but it does require mutual appreciation and loyalty. Her note became a story they would laugh about for years, a reminder of her wit and the importance of valuing each other, no matter how many years passed. In that moment, he realized that a true partner is someone who can meet you on every level—even when it comes to a battle of wits.
