Ric Shahin’s Secret Travel Fund Surprise

Ric Shahin had a heartwarming plan to surprise his wife, Martha, on their 10th wedding anniversary by saving money for a special trip. To keep it a secret, he started depositing $50 from his paycheck every two weeks into a hidden bank account. However, as time passed, Ric realized that the savings wouldn’t be enough for the dream trip. Determined to make Martha’s surprise unforgettable, he increased the deposit to $150.

Working as teachers in the same Midland, Mich., school district at the time, Martha soon noticed discrepancies in Ric’s paycheck. Familiar with the salary deductions, she grew suspicious of the unaccounted money. Persistently asking to see his pay stub, Martha was met with excuses from Ric, who avoided revealing his secret savings plan.

After two and a half years of covertly building the travel fund, Ric, now 66, decided to come clean to his wife. Expecting her to be thrilled by his thoughtful gesture, Ric was surprised by Martha’s reaction. Instead of being delighted, Martha, 60, was a mix of emotions – appreciative of the sentiment but also upset as she disliked surprises.

Reflecting on the experience, Martha remarked, “He wanted to do this really nice thing, but I was also angry because he knows I don’t like surprises.” Despite the initial mixed feelings, the couple’s journey to understanding each other’s perspectives and intentions strengthened their bond over the years.