Surprise, Surprise

Before leaving the soccer field on Saturday, John informed me their was a gift on our bed for me. I knew it was our dating anniversary, but I didn't think much of it since he didn't really do anything (strike that, he did NOTHING, and pretty much ignored me) on Valentine's Day.

I got home and our houseguest asked where John was. The way she asked was kind of unsettling, like she was mad at him for something. She then suggested I go upstairs. That's when I remembered that he had told me about the gift on the bed. The two of them were weirding me out.

I went upstairs to find a gift wrapped in purple wrapping paper with a silver bow on it. I can only assume he did that because those were our wedding colors. I unwrapped the gift to find it in a Christmas box with the word HO imprinted all over it (as in Ho Ho Ho, Santa Claus, you know). I laughed and then sent him a text poking fun... "What are you trying to say?!" was the caption I sent along with a picture of the box. His response was, "That I couldn't find a box! Now pick one and get ready."

I didn't see that message right away and I opened the box to find two beautiful dresses. I searched all over for some kind of note with instructions (remember, I didn't see the text message), but there were none. Kristi, our friend, was standing in the doorway and I said, "I should probably shower and get ready then, huh?" She said that would be a good idea. She offered up that she was the babysitter and that my husband was taking me out, although she wasn't sure where.

I chose the shorter of the two dresses because it fit me better but that also meant I had to shave my legs. You'd think living in Hawaii would mean my legs are always ready for anything but that's just not true. I managed a quick shower and a half-ass shave job but it was good enough to look and feel pretty. I was pretty much ready when John got home from soccer. All I needed to do was figure out what shoes I was wearing, brush my teeth, and wait for him to get ready.

We left at 415pm for our 515 reservation. I still had no idea where we were going and spent the entire 45 minute drive thinking about where we might be going. He told me he already knew what he was ordering for our meal, so all I had to do was chose a drink when we arrived. I ran down some places in my head that I thought he may have picked and even briefly suspected Red Lobster, even though that is a mainland option, only because he said he knew what he was ordering for me. We ended up at a restaurant called Ocean House in the Outrigger Reef hotel, with beach front seating. The staff was amazing. Twice we were told we didn't look old enough to be celebrating 15 years, which is kind of true. It definitely doesn't feel like it has been that long. He ordered the coconut lobster skewers for our appetizer, the seafood pot for himself, and the filet mignon and lobster tail for me. I ordered a lava flow cocktail for myself and a peach bourbon smash for him. They brought out complimentary bread and our appetizer. The skewers were really good. Our food came out rather quickly and while the lobster tail was good, I didn't really care for the filet mignon but I appreciated his choice in my dinner. We were offered a dessert menu but were too full from dinner to order anything. They then brought us a complimentary sorbet dessert for our anniversary and took a picture of us. The dessert was great and the perfect end to our dinner date. When they brought the bill, they also brought us a complimentary photo print to commemorate our anniversary dinner. It was a great experience, albeit a bit pricey. I don't think we have ever spent that much on dinner alone.

He said the night wasn't over after dinner, so we walked down the beach to the Hale Koa Hotel. He bought us tickets to a comedy show that started at 8pm. We arrived shortly before 730pm. They took our picture before seating us at a table for 6 with 2 other guests. Another couple arrived shortly after that for a full table. I ordered another lava flow and he ordered a gin and tonic. The show was hilarious. Two opening acts and Bo Irvine as the headliner. Bo was so funny. He really didn't even stick to his show because he spent the majority of time joking directly with the audience. He talked a lot about marriage and the hilarity of it, which made it the perfect show for our date... even though we were only celebrating our dating anniversary. The way our table was set up allowed for me to cuddle up next to my hubby, which made it so much better than sitting at a table.

I managed to stay awake for the drive home, even though I was exhausted from the day that started at 630am. We got home around 11pm and finished out our night the only way a great date night should (I'll leave the rest to your imagination).

I was pleasantly surprised by the effort he put into celebrating 15 years together. It was a much welcomed surprise. He had never bought me a dress before. He rarely plans anything for us that doesn't involve a military function. I joked that he cannot spring such a surprise on a woman. Had I known what was planned I could have planned better. I would have made sure to shave my legs, I could have gotten a pedicure and maybe a manicure, as well. I wouldn't have stayed up until midnight the night before knowing we would be up that late again on Saturday. But he did good and I love that he went through all the trouble to plan a surprise date night for me. He even wrote a book inside a card telling me how much he loved me.

It truly amazes me how he can still put in all this effort after all the years we have been together. After putting up with me for so long and our roller coaster of a relationship, he has every right to be done trying but then he does something like this that restores my faith in our life together. I am so happy to call him my husband because he truly does love me unconditionally.

Thank you, baby, for all that you do for our family and for trying to put me first in a life where I always come second to the Army. That bitch may get all the attention, but dammit, I win this time ;)