My evening of bliss!

All right! I did it! I pressed the dress, made up my face, donned my earrings I wore on my wedding day, and I drove (via the minivan) to Blake's work to meet him for dinner. He was shocked and impressed and I think I managed to dazzle him a bit! Ha!

Ready for Dinner, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

We went to a very beautiful restaurant at the Edgewater Hotel on pier 67. It was a white linen tablecloth type of place with $30-$50 meals. A la Carte. What can I say but....We had a coupon!

6and7 restaurant, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

I felt like Cinderella. I felt more poised and wonderful than even on my wedding day. I know who I am now, I have accomplished so much, I have built a life with Blake and we have a strong, vibrant, passionate marriage. I just felt all of that in my heart and I think I was like a neon sign, glowing in the dark of the world.

I ordered a diet rum and coke, we shared an arugula and pear salad, I ordered the copper river salmon, served with these amazing mushrooms, pesto potatoes and asparagus. Blake had the halibut, encrusted with dungeness crab. Then I asked for a bowl of berries for dessert with just a touch of whipped cream, Blake had the creme brule sampler (vanilla, espresso, and Grand Marnier). It was divine. Then, the manager informed us, that since it took so long to bring us our meal (we were clueless, just enjoying one another and talking and such), that the whole meal would be on the house.....HOLY __________, people! This was a meal that would have cost well over $100, even with the coupon! What a blessing. The perfect anniversary gift for Blake, that's for sure.

After this delicious, free meal, we headed for a secret location. I had a suspicion that we might be staying the night somewhere, so I packed some clothes and necessary items. Where we ended up, however, was a total surprise! Blake's dad was out of town on business and his mom, my Yommy (your other mother) had offered to babysit. Well, little did I know that she offered much more than that! She gave us their house for the evening, fully decorated with roses, candles and bubble bath for the jacuzzi tub in their master suite! What a romantic adventure! It was so sweet to see the strawberries and chocolate, the iced whipping cream, the rubber ducky! It really was so great of her. We had a good time. It was dreamy. And it was quiet, except for Barry White and other crooners she had playing to us all night long on her iPod.....I felt like a new bride. Well, maybe without all the nerves.

an evening of romance, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

massage oil, bubble bath, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

complete with a ducky, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

Treats from Jodie, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

quack quack, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.

Thank you, Yommy, and thank you, most of all, to my wonderful man. Blake, I love you and I am so amazed that our life is what it is. You make it unbelievable.

end of the night, originally uploaded by Shutterbugphoto.