The Big Surprise

This year, Shawn more than redeemed his unfortunate casino mishap from last year. He told me that he searched on line for the most cultured event he could find for this weekend and decided that was what he would surprise me with.

Not knowing where we are going always adds to the excitement of the night, however I am always a little nervous about what to wear. This year Shawn wanted me to wear my red dress. It's beautiful - sleeveless, slightly low cut, calf length with sheer flowing layers - very elegant. Katie (in on the surprise) wanted me to wear a sundress with comfortable shoes. Of course, I wore the red. With four inch heels.

We ate supper at The Cheesecake Factory, which is always superb. Then Shawn drove to the hotel to pick up our room key before the big event. I was excited to see we were staying at the very nice Hyatt Regency in Richardson. Definitely a step up from last year's Microtel.

We parked in the arts district in downtown Dallas, then walked to the Dallas Museum of Art. They were doing an all night event of music and art. (to which everybody else wore jeans and flip flops. Except me. Evening wear and high heels) We toured four floors of art galleries, including a visiting impressionist exhibit. This is the cat's meow for me. In a former lifetime, before a husband and kids, I found release on a canvas. I loved to paint with oils, taking several years of private lessons in high school. Tears pricked my eyes as I wondered from painting to painting, awed by the beauty of each one.

Early in the evening, we circled through the cafe where the music was playing. Suddenly and spontaneously, my husband scooped me into his arms to dance. I was lost in the romance of the moment, when a security guard approached us and asked us to relocate out of the traffic lane. It's taken 17 years for my husband to work up the nerve to dance with me in public - only to be asked by security to stop. I had to laugh.

We walked until my feet could not walk another step. Then we settled back down in the cafe to finish out the night listening to a jazz band and sipping some coffee.

It was a beautiful night of laughter, art, conversation, cuddling while listening to great music, and even some dancing. Exhausted, we finally had to call it a night a little before 2.

This morning we had brunch at Panera, then ran by the jewelry store,Charming Charlie's, so I could grab a gift. Shawn was not excited by this portion of our date. He stood about 6 feet into the room, stunned by the colors and the chaos. He was relieved to exit.

It was a great date. Definitely one of our best anniversaries. I had the time of my life. I think Shawn did too.