Surprise

James had to be in Mobile, AL all last week. He called me on Wednesday and asked me what time I would be through on Friday and to make sure I was off on Saturday. He flew home on Thursday. He told me he had a surprise for me. The only instructions he gave me was to meet him at home by 3 and pack a bag. This is difficult for me. What kind of clothes? What kind of accessories? Realizing my pain, he helped me out a little but never gave me one hint as to where he was taking me.

Tomorrow James and I will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary. I absolutely LOVE surprises. He could tell me today that he has already bought my birthday present (birthday is in February), put it in a bag and tell me exactly where it is. He knows I would never peek. I would never spoil the surprise. My husband is so different than me. He WOULD peek and HAS. Here is the neat thing -- James knows me so well. He knows I love surprises and he pulled this one off all by himself. I loved it.

Oh, I guess I should tell you what the surprise was. He took me to the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. We have been to the Gaylord in Nashville but never to the one here. Imagine that! We had an amazing room in what I called the tower because it is rounded and our room went all the way around. We had 3 big windows on the 8th floor and it overlooked Grapevine Lake. We were blessed with an upgrade at check in. We ate at the Riverwalk Cafe. It was just perfect.

Saturday morning he told me we were not finished. We drove to Waxahachie (I think that is how it is spelled -- no help from "spell check") and went to the Festival on the square (Bob Phillips' Texas Country Reporter event). We enjoyed the awesome cuisine: corny dog for James, turkey leg for me.

The weekend was perfect and I loved being all by myself with my man. I am getting a day at the spa today and James is getting a workbench. Tomorrow we will reflect on how wonderful this 19 years has been. He has had many surprises for me through the years, but this one was really special.

James, I love you more today than I did on the day we married. You have been a blessing to me. You still make me laugh and you make me smile. I like you as much as I love you.