Do I want to be a wizard? Heck yes, I want to be a wizard! And money (and poor choices?) allowed me the opportunity to throw spells at enemies, explore the wizarding world, and become the magical creature I was always meant to be. #winning
In elementary school, I had a PlayStation and Crash Bandicoot Racing. When the Dance Dance Revolution started, I bought a PlayStation 2 and a dance mat. (No way was I going to embarrass myself in front of everyone—I had to practice!) Both consoles actually still live in the top of my closet. But neither of these would support my wizarding dreams (known formally as Hogwarts Legacy), which required a computer or a PlayStation 5.
Of course, I have a computer, but I wanted the new gaming system. Why wouldn't I want to play the new game on the nonsense-big TV in the living room? That’s literally what the TV was made for! But it was a $600 purchase for the console and game, and my husband and I agreed that purchases of this range would be discussed beforehand. I couldn't just go buy it... at least, not respectfully.
Much to my dismay, spending on a PS5 (so I could play a single game...) didn’t align with my husband’s money values, so he suggested the computer version instead.
I was not excited by his response. My computer is a basic typing machine with low-key graphics and a slow processing time. It wasn’t going to be a fun gaming experience. And considering it’s the desk where I work, I wasn’t keen to spend more time there—not because my chair isn’t comfortable, but because I still try to maintain work-life separation. After sharing these “more-valid” aspects, he was open to discussing further.
We had money to pay cash, my work bonus and a small tax refund would be coming soon too, and I was happy to forfeit further birthday gifts if that made him feel more comfortable. $600 certainly isn’t chump change. That said, it’s not even half a percent of our annual income. We are still earning wages. And yes, I really, really, really wanted to be a wizard.
The friction we felt with the misalignment of values is small in the scheme of things. But it was valid for me to feel the way I did, and it was valid for him to feel the way he did. It was a few hours of back-and-forth, having an open conversation about the spending. But ultimately, he agreed that, while the PlayStation itself didn’t align with his values, my happiness and excitement did. Huzzah! #marriage
Partnership is hard, we won't always align in values, but the important thing is we are listening and respecting each other.
Miracle of miracles, despite the chip shortage and supply chain problems, I acquired the only available console from our local Target—and got a 5% discount using my Red Card. I had a couple weeks left until the game’s release, but rather than spend $70 per game for a passing phase while I waited, I checked out a handful of games from the public library. My favorite, Stray, was good practice and turned out to be a lot of fun.
And at midnight, when my preordered copy of Hogwarts Legacy went live, I was ready with snacks (and well-rested from my nap during the afternoon). I took over the wizarding world, casting all manner of magic. It was, in fact, an absolute delight.