Wow, what do you say?

You know, I love my family, especially the small subset of my family that acts as if my brothers and I are members of it. Some of my family actually treat my brothers and I like we're members of the family, and it's really nice.

Now, no-one's family is perfect, so there are always family things that you do regardless of their vapidity or the general bored disinterest of all participants. It's part of the grease that lets families exist. For the past calendar year we've already performed the normal holiday "since we're co-located at the moment, let's play nice & pretend we care" rituals like:

Aunt: So... when is the wedding?
Madeline: We were married in April.
Aunt: Oh, well I guess we'll have to get that present right in the mail!

or

Aunt: So how come you never let us know when you're visiting?
Me: I called you the last three times I was in town.
Aunt: Oh.

So, when I checked my email this morning, the last thing I expected was this:

Hi Jim

Hope you and Addy are doing fine!

I want to get you both a gift certificate for your wedding gift. Sorry............. this gift is quite tardy, but I am trying to catch up. Where would be a good place for you all to have a gift certificate?

If you are ever in Dallas, give us a buzz. We would love to see you.

Let me know what you think about the gift certificate.

Love, ******

If it's true that it's the thought that counts & not the gift... do they really sell gift certificates that small?