A few years ago I circled something from the JoAnn's ad that I wanted for Christmas and he brought home that and a Viking DSE. This is the same man who doesn't do anything for holidays or special occasions. A kiss and Happy Birthday is about what I usually get from him. "You said you wanted to get a better sewing machine and I know you sew a lot, this is the best one they had. Is it ok it was the floor model? It was the only one they had in stock." I had a white heavy duty machine that did straight stitch and a couple of zig-zag. I was thinking a few more stitches and maybe a button holer and zipper foot/stitch.
So needless to say even now when I get really agrevated with him, I stop and look at that sewing machine and remember he does love me. Even if he doesn't say it often or clean the house.