June 25, 2013

Happy Anniversary to Us and a Surprise for Me


Throughout the years, I have teased Hubby that he was born without a "romantic bone". 

Which in all reality simply means: he's a guy and I've watched too many versions of "Pride and Prejudice".

Granted the man had quite a few things to learn about women too, so he's not totally off the hook.

For the longest time, Hubby and I lived on different planets, merely circling around each other trying to figure out what the heck was going on "over there". 

Some of it had to do with how we were raised. Some of it had to do with un-addressed baggage we had each brought to the marriage. Some of it was pride and expectations. And some of it was simply that he is male, and I am female.

The years have forced us to address these issues, to change, to improve, to accept, and to forgive. 

In just this past year, I feel like we have finally turned a permanent corner in our relationship, that we are finally on the same wave length... most of the time.

So I was looking forward to marking our 10-year anniversary as a great accomplishment.

At our 7-year, I told Hubby that since he did NOT plan our honeymoon, which was pretty pathetic anyway, that he was in charge of taking care of our 10-year anniversary. I felt three years was enough time to plan something awesome.

But as June approached, it became quite clear that nothing was planned. I wasn't angry or anything, just bummed.

Wednesday morning, we had nothing planned or ready for our anniversary which was the next day. I may have sulked, just a bit. 

Hey, I'm only human! And pregnant and hormonal. So cut me some slack here!

That night, Hubby informs me that he would have to work all day tomorrow, but Friday afternoon, we were going to drop the kids off at his parent's house, then drive down to Logan, UT and see a play called, "Anne of Green Gables", then stay the night at a place called, "Anniversary Inn."

I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing. Anne of Green Gables? Really? I asked him if he knew anything about the story or if he has seen the movie.

Nope.

I just laughed again. This was going to be interesting.

It may not have been the grand thing we both had originally planned on, but it was something, and I was excited.

Thursday afternoon, I had been out pulling weeds from my strawberries when I stepped through the back door and was surprised to see a complete stranger at my front door with Jacob standing in front her.

I briefly thought to myself that no matter how many dang times I tell my kids not to open the front door unless I'm there too, they never seem to remember.

But the lady was smiling and laughing at something Jacob had said (not surprising, he has that effect on people) when Jacob turned around, proudly holding up a big bouquet of flowers.

"Look mommy! I got you flowers!"

Uh huh.

This time it was my turn to laugh. It had actually never once crossed my mind that Hubby would get me flowers, even though it was our anniversary. And yes he has before, but it just didn't even occur to me. So it was a very nice surprise.



Beautiful.

Once, many a year ago, Hubby asked me if women really like flowers that much. Well I certainly can't answer for other women, I told him that while I like the flowers, it's more the thought behind it that appeals to me. It's that he was thinking of me enough to get flowers.

So yes, they are pretty, but they are really just tangible proof that he thought of me, and that's a nice feeling.

Does that make sense?

Anyhow, I made Hubby a super cheesy candy bar card that I would never show to anyone it was so bad. But hey, I was in the store trying to think up something clever just off the top of my head, while still picking out candy bars that Hubby actually likes!

But Hubby forgave my poetic injustice and confessed that the candy bars are really all the matter. LOL!

Anyway, Friday morning Hubby went off to work while I set about packing the kids up for a night at Grandma's house.

Even though it was only for one night, I couldn't get all their dad-gum stuff to fit into a rather huge bag we usually use. Instead, I had to put each child's items into individual bags.

Oui. 

Friday afternoon, Hubby came home and we loaded up everyone and everything (crammed like sardines would be a bit more accurate) and headed over to Grandma's. I felt a bit bad and sad as we left them, but also knew they would have fun.

The two-and-a-half hour drive was actually quite fun as we got to discuss a lot of different things.

When we got to Logan, we stopped over at Chili's and totally stuffed ourselves with an appetizer, and main course, AND THEN dessert!

We never buy dessert. It was a real treat. 

No pun intended. ...Okay, so maybe a small one.

After that we drove over to the "Inn" which actually turned out to be a Bed and Breakfast! I have always wanted to stay at a Bed and Breakfast!

Then Hubby sheepishly admitted to be he actually had no idea that that's what it really was.

I just laughed.

When we checked in, Hubby was handed the key to a room called "The Pyramids of Egypt". I rolled my eyes and laughed again. "Pyramids of Egypt"? Really? Could you have picked a worse room?

Hubby defended himself saying that since it was a last minute reservation, rooms were limited.

Not sure how good of a defense that is if you really think about it. LOL!

When we opened the door, I had to laugh a bit at the room. Definitely not my idea of a "romantic atmosphere", but then said that hey, at least there were rose petals!

That's when Hubby confessed, he had paid extra for the rose petals.



This time I was down-right stunned.

He paid extra for the petals? Really?

Okay, it may be hard for you to understand this, but if you knew my husband at all you would get why I was so stunned.

But there was more. He had also ordered chocolate covered strawberries...


... and there was a bottle of sparkling cider.


I really truly couldn't have been more surprised of Hubby and suddenly started growing a second head. 

After it finally all sank in, Hubby and I both laughed again at the room and we joked about how there was nothing romantic about the desert or snakes, or pharoh heads. 

That's when he fessed up. There was another room that was much prettier and looked really cool, but it was $60 more. Hubby decided there were a lot of other things we could do with sixty bucks.

Again, I just burst out laughing. Now THAT was the husband I knew!


After looking the room over, we actually had to dash back out so we wouldn't be late for the play.


We found seats in an only half-full high school gym just as it started.


Hubby admitted that it wasn't as professional as he had thought it was going to be, but it was still fun and cute. Hubby even laughed a few times. (don't tell anyone I told you that) All in all, not bad.

What surprised me the most about this whole trip, was that he had actually planned it all himself. I thought for sure he had asked his mom or one of our sister-in-laws who live around there for ideas. But no, it was all him.

For some reason, that made it so much more... awesome.

The next day we ate cheesecake for breakfast, before our actual meal showed up, and went over to the Logan Temple to do some sealings.


We actually had a blast with the people who were working there that day. It was really a lot of fun.

By the time we got out it was about 2pm. We debated on whether to grab a movie before driving back but since the next showings weren't until 4pm, we decided to head back since we still had to drive home too.

Plus I worried that the kids were driving my in-laws crazy. But it turns out I needn't have fretted. The kids were having so much fun they seemed a bit disappointed when we showed up!




Pish, should have stayed for the movie after all!

So there you have it. It was a really fun weekend for everyone.

And I am so stinkin' proud of Hubby and for his efforts. He did say he was trying to be better, and I have to admit, I like it.

I like it a lot.

10 super cool people speak:

*katrina* said...

Whatever that thing is your kids are riding around in in that last picture, it looks awesome. Also, Logan and i stayed in the anniversary inn the night of our wedding! We were in the Hawaiian room... I had no idea they had an Egyptian room. Lol. Way to go to your hubs for planning the whole thing! Happy anniversary!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Haha! My sister-in-law found the idea for the "train" several years back and she and the boys built it as a Christmas present for my in-laws. The kids love it!
And a Hawaiian room is so you. :)

Susan Anderson said...

How cute is that? He's evolving!

=D

PS. Happy anniversary!!

marcie said...

We stayed there too our wedding night! I think it was the presidential suite. SO so nice! Looks like fun!

Stef said...

Ahhh. That's so fun! What a great couple days. Ain't it great when we underestemate our men...and then they suprise us!

Mary Lou said...

Serene....
I love Anne of Green Gables!! We always watch those films during our hottest days!! Anne and I are "Kindred Spirits" on so many levels!! ;-D
I love your bouquet of flowers!! There are daisies and roses in that vase.... My two favorite!! ;)
Chocolate covered strawberries?! I want some, I want some!! Hee, hee, hee.... ;-D
Good job, "Hubby"!! ;)
--Raelyn

Sarah said...

Bawled my eyes out! This was so beautiful to me! Thank you!!!!!! Congratulations to the both of you on your ten year anniversary!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Happy Anniversary.
He grew the romantic bone!

Claudia said...

Happy Anniversary! This looked like a really FUN trip. I don't remember the last time my husband and I spent a night away from Clara!

Neisha said...

wow, what a man!! sounds like a great time

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