I (43M) got married seven-ish years ago, a very quick service we wedged in 5 minutes before the normal church service, since all my friends attended that church anyways and my wife’s family wasn’t going to be able to attend (for immigration reasons).
My mother invited one of her friends to attend, and she came with her husband. Church was open to the public, so no big deal. I haven’t seen them since
Five years later, they mailed me a rock, about 2 inches, brown, smooth. Turns out my mother’s friend’s husband polishes rocks for a hobby in retirement. He picked this rock in his back yard,, polished it, and shipped it to me.
I have no use for a small rock rock. It’s nothing special, and seemed a bit weird that they mailed it to me.
Fast forward, and my mother’s friend is pestering my mother, complaining that I didn’t send them a thank-you card for the rock. Initially I just brushed it off, but they’ve been complaining to my mother about the lack of a "thank you" card for almost two years now.
AITAH for not sending a "Thank You" card for a rock?
*It’s not a rock, Marie. It’s a mineral…for the tenth time.*
Any explanation as to why it was 5 years later?
NTA. You didn’t even invite them. They crashed your party and sent you a rock. Would it be a nice thing to do? Sure. But I don’t think it makes you an asshole that you don’t send a stranger a thank you card for a Weird gift they sent you way after the wedding (that they crashed).
NTA – they sent this “gift “ five years after the wedding??? This isn’t a wedding gift . Yes it’s nice that they thought of you but very weird thing to send. FYI I have two special rocks on my dresser – one was the rock my grandma used to keep a closet door shut and the other is a red volcanic rock from Sicily that a friend brought back. Both have meaning but a rock from your mothers friends’ backyard??? Weird.
If you love and appreciate your mom, do her a favor and send a thank you note.
NTA
Not to be mean but those particular friends of your mother may be uhm suffering from some form of dementia.
INFO: Was it made clear when they sent it that it was intended as a wedding gift?
NTA
Is everyone else missing the fact that they waited five fucking years before sending a wedding gift? No, you don’t need to send a thank you card!
I don’t know if it’s the 5 years, the 2 years after that, or the fact that they sent a fucking rock that makes this ridiculous
OP should send a ‘thank you’ card in another three years.
NTA. They sent you a rock. A rock. From their backyard. Five years after your wedding.
It’s giving Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. “I got a rock.”
How odd that everyone in the comments is considering this “gift” to be a wedding gift. It was sent 5 years later with no explanation. Why would that be considered a wedding gift? LOL
The fact that they have been pestering your mother about it all this time indicates that they are not very rational people. A rock from someone’s back yard is not a gift worthy of a thank you note. But, for your mother’s sake, CALL the people and thank them. Make it short and sweet and then tell your mother you called.
NTA-This is boomer stuff. Idk many people that send cards anymore. Ask for the phone number, send a text message. Even the boomers text.
Normally I’d say its the thought that counts but unless you too are a lapidary a rock is a ridiculous wedding gift. Is sending thank you notes still a thing? NTA.