I inserted myself into a work joke and now feel stupid

[Anonymous]

This is way too try-hard, OP. Your DH's job is not about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is way too try-hard, OP. Your DH's job is not about you.

If her husband was military, you know she'd be the type that used his rank as part of her identity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband got a funny nickname at work after a bizarre office incident. It became a running joke in his department, and someone even made him a little sign for his office. We joke about it at home too.

Around the same time he got promoted and moved offices, I happened to find a quirky office item related to the nickname through a random internet ad. It was oddly hard to track down, but I thought it was perfect, so I picked it up and gave it to him. He loved it, sent me a picture of it on his desk, and I figured it had joined the office joke collection.

Fast forward to a recent visit to his new office with the kids: the original sign is prominently displayed, but my gift is nowhere to be seen. He's fully unpacked. When I asked, he said he just hadn't put it out yet.

I know this is irrational. It's a work joke, and maybe I inserted myself into something that wasn't really mine to insert myself into. But I'm oddly hurt and maybe a little embarrassed that I put thought and effort into finding something that apparently didn't make the cut.

This is mostly a vent. Feel free to tell me I'm being ridiculous and need to get over it.

So you think your husband is lying to you?

[Anonymous]

OP, it’s possible that the gift was a miss, and also, that’s okay.

Just sit with that. It’s okay. You did it with love, and your husband knows this, and you don’t have to get everything exactly right. None of us ever get everything exactly right.

Who is your most supportive, loyal, loving friend? What would they say to you? Or better yet, what would you say to them if they gave a well-intentioned gift that in retrospect they weren’t sure actually landed? You’d be kind and tell them the truth: who even knows what happened, and also it’s not a big deal.

You’re good. All is well.

[Anonymous]

OP, he got promoted and changed offices. Maybe he wants to leave the work joke behind and rebrand himself a bit. Ask him if he wants to display it at home.