My Valentine's Day

I don't have much time to post this evening, because Beast'sbelle is trying to wrap up a few things in time for her big trip tomorrow, but I had to share a few fun things about my day yesterday, especially since I hinted that Robby seemed to have something special planned. ;)

Our day started with a wonderful ramble outdoors.  Robby, Emilie and I all wandered around the front yard, enjoying every blade of grass and soaking up the sunshine.  We've had a lot of cold, rainy weather here lately, so having the chance to go outside was lovely.

You might notice that I was wearing jeans for the very first time!  Beast'sbelle picked them up at that Goodwill store she's always raving about so I could have the option to dress a little more casually every once in a while.  It was really weird wearing pants when I'm so used to dresses, but they sure were comfortable!  And I wish Beast'sbelle had found them before our honeymoon trip last summer...they would have come in handy on the beach. ;)

Robby and I spent most of our time sitting and resting beside our "wedding tree". ;)  Emilie had a great time running through the grass, playing hide and seek with herself, and making up stories.  It was so fun to see her playing.  This was her first trip outside since our snow day earlier this winter.  To her, the yard was a never-ending playground, full of adventure and excitement.

After a while, she tired of her games and brought me a bouquet of violets that she'd picked.

Then she was in a snuggly mood, but not for long.  It wasn't long before she was off on another exploration of the yard.

Robby and I sat happily together, soaking up the warm sunshine and enjoying a companionable silence.

But soon I couldn't sit any longer.  Emilie and I convinced Robby to take a walk with us.

We wandered through the grass with Emilie as our miniature guide, seeing the front yard through her eyes. :)

When Robby's knee and hip tired out, we all lay down on the grass and watched the clouds.  It was one of those days where I felt perfectly content with the world.

Later that evening, Robby told me I was to dress up and meet him out at the computer desk at 6 PM and then wandered off mysteriously.  I left Emilie with Tess since Rapunzel was still recovering from her recent surgery.  (By the way, for those of you who are wondering, she's doing really well, and Ben is very encouraged by her progress.  She's just not ready to be a babysitter yet.) ;)

I knew Emilie would be in good hands.  Tess made her feel right at home and offered to read her a few chapters from "Pride and Prejudice", her very favorite book. 

At 6 exactly, I headed out to the computer desk in the living room, wearing my white dress from Robby.  I was in for quite a surprise.  My handsome hubby had decorated the computer desk with flowers, a blanket, and a candle.  It was obvious he had quite the evening planned!

As soon as I reached the desk, I realized he was wearing a tuxedo!  He looked so incredibly handsome. 

He held a bouquet of red silk roses that I instantly recognized.  They were the same roses I'd used for my wedding bouquet last summer.

I also noticed a few goodies at his feet, but I decided not to focus on them until he was ready to give them to me. :)

The vase of huge camellias took my breath away.  Beast'sbelle told me later that they were her Valentine's Day gift from Belle'sbeast (her husband), but she loaned them to Robby for the evening. 

I think what amazed me the most was the huge jar candle burning on the other end of the desk.  Beast'sbelle has often made it clear how paranoid she is about candles around her dolls.  Somehow, Robby must have convinced her otherwise.  The cinnamon-apple scent added just the perfect touch.

I climbed up to where my husband stood, and he gently took me in his arms.  "Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart," he told me tenderly.

And of course, I had to kiss him after that. ;)  How could I possibly resist?

He told me to make myself comfortable, so I sat on the blanket and kicked off my shoes, which were already pinching something terrible. 

Robby reached down and picked up the huge Russel Stover heart and handed it to me.

It was massive!  I loved the beautiful pink roses on the front.

When I opened it, though, I was in for a shock.

All of the chocolate had melted.  It was a sticky mess.

Robby was mortified.  Beast'sbelle had picked it up for him that day and must have left it in the car while she was running errands.

I assured him that it would taste delicious, melted or not.

He was relieved that at least the heart-shaped cookie Beast'sbelle had shared with him was still unharmed. 

I invited my sweet hubby to join me for a chocolately feast.  It was definitely delicious...

...but VERY messy! 

When the chocolate was gone, we worked on the cookie.  It was pretty amazing, too!

When we'd finished, we used the wipe that Beast'sbelle had so graciously provided ahead of time.  

And then Robby shared what the blanket and pillow were for.  He'd borrowed "North and South" from Beast'sbelle, knowing it was one of my favorite period dramas.  It's not his favorite drama, but he tolerates it. ;)

We snuggled up next to each other and enjoyed the movie together until the wee hours of the morning, taking breaks to talk together and whisper sweet nothings. ;)  

I had desperately hoped that I would work up the nerve to sing to Robby for Valentine's Day, but I'm ashamed to say that my courage failed me.  He was very gracious about it, though.  He never said a word and seemed happy just to be with me on this special day.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day too.  Did any of you do anything special with your "significant other" or family?

P.S.  I'm sorry this post had a lot less dialogue and a lot more narrative than my posts normally do.  Of course, there was much more detail to this story than I shared, but quite frankly, I'm in a hurry to let Beast'sbelle get back to the computer.  I figured a simple version of my day would be better than not sharing anything at all. ;)  I assure you that we had a wonderful time together (in spite of the melted chocolate...poor Robby!), and I'm more in love with my husband than ever! :D