H & I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary last month. A milestone. 20 years, ye gads! Where the hell did the time go? We are hardly the types who plan elaborate cruises or exotic vacations for occasions such as this; however a gal can hope for maybe a fragrant bouquet of flowers or a sweet box of truffles. H called me at work, terribly excited and eager…”I just dropped off your present!”, he said. I was kind of like, “Huh? Wha?”. Diamonds? Flowers? Romantic weekend getaway? Nope. For our anniversary, H went to the bank and put a rather sizeable principle payment on our mortgage. Ya, I know…tres romantic! Bet you are jealous. While a principle payment is a wise and responsible move, I was perhaps a tad bit disappointed. Meh.
Presenting good cover for my bummed-outed-ness, I suggested we make reservations for dinner at one of the more upscale restaurants in the area. I figured at least I could drown my somewhat dashed romantic dreams in a $10 glass or two of wine. Reservations in place, H informed me that a client of his had asked us over for an afternoon boat ride on the lake where they live. The lake is surrounded by mostly upscale homes. H has been working on a humongous addition to their house since last fall. These people have a pontoon boat and they wanted to take us around to see the homes from the lake. I somewhat reluctantly agreed, not terribly eager to spend an afternoon with folks I hardly know, looking at houses with clients of H’s so it meant I had mind my manners and my 4-letter words; however, I knew H was sort of obligated to go, you know, customer service and all. Besides, the fine dining afterwards would be well-deserved by that time!
Soooo, we changed our dinner reservations to 7:30, found our sea legs and boarded the merry pontoon, manners in tact. In anticipation of our *dinner*, I did not eat much during the day. The people were very gracious and had a bit of wine and some snacky bits, which was all quite generous and pleasant. Being in Sales, I can talk the talk with the best of them…so we chatted and, well, we looked at houses. What began, however, as a quick zip around the lake, became a nearly 6-hour tour of duty. Apparently, H & I are the most fun these folks have seen in quite some time. Who knew we could generate such conversation and merry pleasantry! We putted along around the lake and finally docked for a potty break around 6:45. While onshore, I ducked into the bathroom to cancel our reservations. (I had whispered to H, “Fuck it, we are so stuck here!”) We just couldn’t seem to get out of going BACK out for another ride “to see the lake at dusk!” Meanwhile, trying to refrain from stuffing my face with all of the munchies and sipping wine on my empty stomach had me slightly intoxicated as we headed back out to sea. Another putt-putt around the lake and we finally tied ‘er up to the dock at 9:30 pm. Pleasant enough? Yes. 20-years-romantic and worthy of replacing the gift of a principle payment on the mortgage? Hmmmmmm.
To top off this elaborate celebration of our 2 decades together, H and I drove through Taco Bell and headed home.
Fine dining indeed. Here’s to another glorious 20…!!
