A few weeks ago one of the tongs on my spaghetti server broke off.

Without thinking too hard about it, my husband and I both came to the mutual conclusion that we might as well throw it out and buy a new one.  A minute later I realized that I actually had another one already that I kept in the junk drawer because nobody needs two spaghetti stirrers. The truth is, the one in the junk drawer is probably nicer – it’s certainly better looking and the plastic seems sturdier but I just don’t like it as much.

I said all this to my husband who reiterated that I should just buy a new one. But the thing is, they don’t seem to make spaghetti stirrers like they used to. It’s not that they aren’t as good – they are probably better to normal people. But I’ve been using that spaghetti stirrer for like 15 years and I’m used to it. I like that it’s smaller and a little more agile (read: not as sturdy).

And I know this is going to make my problem sound even more ridiculous, but this particular spaghetti stirrer was the perfect size for making ramen noodles on the stove in our tiny sauce pan. I could use a fork, truthfully, but then my husband gives me that look that says “I won’t be able to breathe until you are done and I know you have not scratched that pan.”

And the other spaghetti stirrer is too big for the pot. It’s ridiculous. So clearly, I need to replace my old one – but I cannot find one anywhere. I check all the little cheap kitchen tool aisles in the grocery stores in our area as well as Target and the internets. I haven’t checked Walmart yet but I’m not holding my breath. All the spaghetti stirrers in existence today are too big or made out of stainless steel which would be like using a giant fork and my husband would literally explode.

And truthfully, I don’t want a new spaghetti stirrer. I want my old one back. Sometimes a thing doesn’t need to be new and shiny to be the right thing for the job. I think we all probably have that old, tarnished looking spoon, tea kettle, coffee mug, husband that might not be as shiny and new as the ones at the store- and we could buy a new one or even ten new ones and we’d just keep on using our old one because it works just the way we like it. And when it breaks? We’re screwed. (Ladies, handle your husbands with care – you can’t buy ten more of them at IKEA).

So maybe it’s time to throw in the towel and say an RIP to the perfect spaghetti stirrer and just be really careful with that fork.  At this rate, it would be easier to replace the pan.