With tax season in full swing, alimony comes into play. He gets to claim it, I get to report it. Yay me. But here's the deal: our numbers have to match.
So before I dropped off the hot mess representing my version of 2012 to my tax-lady, I texted my ex to compare numbers. We were off by just a bit. I was concerned somehow I had been shortchanged, through no fault of his though. I figured it was the people who process the numbers. So I called the people who handle the wages and direct deposit for the alimony. They explained what happened: there was one time early last year that a little less was taken out (reasons irrelevant). Both my ex and I had forgotten about that. It was over a year ago. But here is the caveat: when he learned that was going to happen last year, he told me it was going to happen. He also told me he would send me the difference in a personal check....WHICH HE DID. I remembered ALL of this once the wages lady mentioned that particular paycheck and the circumstances surrounding it. As soon as it came back into MY pea brain (btw love this little sticker from http://www.zazzle.com/riddle+stickers )
I immediately assured her that he had paid me- I remembered that he did. As soon as I thanked her for her clarification, I texted him back and reminded him of everything as well. So...all was well. Both instances come down to doing the right thing for the right reasons. He paid me, I was never short-changed, and I say that. We both did the right thing. Can't we all just get along? If Tom and Jerry can figure it out.... Look, we don't talk often- we don't need to. And I think that helps. But when we do have to touch base, we are always mindful to genuinely ask things like, "How are you? How's the baby? How's your girlfriend? How's the job?" We respect each other's new lives and are genuinely happy for one another. This is a simple choice for us. The man was my husband for crying out loud. He's a good guy. He and his family deserve all the happiness in the world. Why would I wish anything different? EVERYONE deserves happiness. And sometimes it takes something as trivial as taxes to remind you how lucky you are to have a good friend who can always be trusted to do the right thing too. I think we both try and be that friend. To everyone.
I immediately assured her that he had paid me- I remembered that he did. As soon as I thanked her for her clarification, I texted him back and reminded him of everything as well. So...all was well. Both instances come down to doing the right thing for the right reasons. He paid me, I was never short-changed, and I say that. We both did the right thing. Can't we all just get along? If Tom and Jerry can figure it out.... Look, we don't talk often- we don't need to. And I think that helps. But when we do have to touch base, we are always mindful to genuinely ask things like, "How are you? How's the baby? How's your girlfriend? How's the job?" We respect each other's new lives and are genuinely happy for one another. This is a simple choice for us. The man was my husband for crying out loud. He's a good guy. He and his family deserve all the happiness in the world. Why would I wish anything different? EVERYONE deserves happiness. And sometimes it takes something as trivial as taxes to remind you how lucky you are to have a good friend who can always be trusted to do the right thing too. I think we both try and be that friend. To everyone.
