So my dad is having a retirement auction. Among the stuff we forgot my mother had owned we found her old campfire Dutch oven covered in surface rust. I scrubbed the rust off and put a quick coat of seasoning on it just so that it didn't sell as a lawn ornament. Obviously I started thinking that maybe I should keep it. Once it was on the stove cooling off, my dad took one look at it and said " That cleaned up pretty nice, I think maybe I'll keep that after all"
Didn't think to take a before picture but here's an after.
I'm sure in the Ops instance there are no hard feelings either, and they'll also have a chuckle while telling the story. OP didn't seem upset or anything.
My dad is absolutely the kind of person who can't outright compliment something or say how he feels, so I get the vibe. I'm mostly the same, but I'm trying to be more vocal in my appreciation for things with my wife.