DH wants to miss SIL’s anniversary lunch for Arsenal parade?

[Thegoldenoriole]

As you may or may not know (or care), Arsenal won the Premier League yesterday. DH wants to go to the parade in a couple of weeks. However, we have his sister’s 10th anniversary lunch booked in already, and it would be impossible to attend both.

I think it’s probably reasonable to go to the parade, given it could be literally the only opportunity. Or it could happen again next year! But I’m concerned DSIL won’t feel the same way… DH is a fan, but not to a major degree - he only started following them at uni influenced by his flatmate and I think he’s been to two live arsenal games in his life! The rest of the family aren’t football people at all. I only care insofar as it affects DH.

Thoughts? I would still go to SIL’s lunch and take the kids - they are small and after what happened at Liverpool last year I wouldn’t want them going without me.

Well I guess that depends if you like your family or not? To be fair, it sounds from the OP's description that it's actually more that the anniversary was an excuse for a family get together, not a big, formal anniversary celebration. If you get along with your family then there's no reason why that would be boring or unpleasant is there? I'd say in this instance the football event is almost certainly more of a special occasion but I don't understand why so many people think that inviting your family to join you to celebrate something that matters to you is such a terrible thing. I mean yes, were it some kind of formal do in a marquee with speeches and a vow renewal I'd be rolling my eyes as much as the next person but it sounds like it's no different to having a birthday meal with your family and loads of people do that.
Anyway, from the OP's update it seems the sister understands her brother's excitement about the football and is fine about it so it's a non issue.

I think a 10th anniversary lunch is a bit self absorbed (unless it's just for the couple) and I'd much rather go to the parade, but if I'd already accepted the lunch invitation, I wouldn't cancel. I would have done to see a very important game, but not for the parade.

That's a nonsensical point to try to make. Yes, they've been on top for months, but there's absolutely no guarantee in football when a team clinches a title. Dropped points along the way, competing teams dropping points, make it inexact. It could've been weeks ago, but it equakky have went to the last kick of the ball.

Been married 36 years this year, literally never celebrated our wedding anniversary with anyone other than each other.

Quite. On that basis, in Scotland, Hearts fans would have cancelled all social engagements for May months ago in anticipation of a celebration that never happened.

The date for the parade has been set so that it can also celebrate the Champion's League, should they win that too. They definitely didn't know about that months ago.

🤣 no but it’s pretty accurate sketch of me whenever I try to be a supportive wife and sit down to watch in solidarity… we’re both grateful I don’t try to be supportive too often!

I can't blame him wanting to go to that. You can eat out anytime.

If it was my team, so would I. But, he needs to tell his sister. 😉

Your position on your high horse has been noted.

Let him go to the parade. They aren't likely to win again 😉

10th wedding anniversary lunch 🤣

I’m meant to be going to my niece’s dance show, ticket paid for etc, and I’m absolutely sacking that off to go to the parade 🤣

Be fair, it’s her 10th anniversary, she’ll be on her 30th by the time Arsenal win the league again

To me, anniversaries are a personal celebration. My love of family, etc, is irrelevant to that.

It’s up to him but honestly ducking out of a social engagement you said yes to, having been to only 2 matches is bad manners. Different for a really die hard fan

(I say this as a football fan)

I’m fairly sure my husband has been at the Emirates more than twice this month!

What the bloody hell is a 10th anniversary lunch?! Do you mean a wedding anniversary? Why the f would anyone except the couple mark that?! I can't think what else you mean. Is it the 10th anniversary of her death? Can an individual even have a wedding anniversary? Is she the Queen of Sheba? I'd definitely prioritise the parade, but also for him to "break the news". Its not your issue to sort. Can't they just have a shag and a wine-fed row like normal people?

It’s not down to you to arbitrate this.

From a family of massive Arsenal fans, so would understand if they wanted to skip a family do to celebrate the win. It is a big thing for them. He can tell his sister, though.

I’m a female football fan and have to say I’d rather be at the parade…
fair to say my football team are far off winning the prem (albeit we did win the FA Cup last year ❤️💙🦅) and being a football fan has this amazing feeling when you’ve won big.

I would say let him go and let him enjoy the day. Anniversaries are every year 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’d go to the parade

Surely it’s up to him?

My sister and husband had a lovely family meal for their 10th anniversary.
OPs husband in my view is rude. He wants to skive off and drink with the lads, supporting a football team he's not that bothered about.
Yeah, I know, my family's weird.

Our household are huge fans but it’s ridiculously expensive, doesn’t make us any less fans because we can’t afford to go!

Glad he had a word with his sister and she's fine about it.

I too shall be going to the Parade!!!