Sweetest Man Alive

In the not quite 25 years I've been married to my sweet husband, I've learned a thing or two.  He is a wonderful person - fun, smart, kind to his core.  He treats me like a princess and has taught his sons to do the same.  He is selfless and generous to a fault.  I'm very lucky.  But I've learned that some things don't come naturally to him.  He may not always be the most romantic person - and that doesn't mean he's not loving.  He's very loving.  It's just that in the 'surprising' me and/or making things special, sometimes he needs a nudge.  It's OK.  I've learned to nudge when nudging is needed.  

I had planned at trip to Tiffany's in Paris - but gave that up in exchange for going to Disneyland Paris. I was thinking our plan was to spend the day of our actual anniversary at the park.  It was a fair trade. I have plenty of baubles and the time to go to a Disneyland park is a rare thing - so I was looking forward to spending our anniversary there.  

The drive to Jackson was beautiful.  Everything's greening up and the cows and horses just look so happy to be grazing on an abundance of new grass.  The skies were a bit cloudy but then sunny and bright blue.  It was a lovely drive - it's one of the best parts of heading up there.  

During the drive, I said 'I wondered if you'd be OK if I kept an eye out while we are in Paris and maybe try to find a not too expensive ring to commemorate our anniversary.  Like a semi-precious stone kind of thing'?  No reply.  Highly unusual.  He begrudges me nothing.  I thought 'is it the money'?  (No way that is an issue...but.....).  I said 'so?'.  And he said (after a bit) 'um, it's possible that I'm a little ahead of you'.  

And then, even though he wasn't sure what to do - wanting desperately to surprise me completely but realizing that if he didn't give me a peek into his scheming.. he sure didn't want me to not know what he was thinking of lest I mess it up by making plans of my own  - he spilled a 'plan' he's been formulating and researching.  Yes, there will be rings. (Hoping to be sterling silver for our silver anniversary).  And an informal (between us) renewal of our wedding vows.  In an amazing location - Notre Dame Cathedral.  With a photographer.  

I still tear up when I think about it.  He said 'I wanted to make it up to you for not making the proposal what it should have been'.  He knows me so well.  I love him so much and wouldn't trade the last 25 years for anything - but there are times when stories of romantic proposals make me wistful and a little sad.  For never having that 'oh my God' moment about binding my life with his forever. 

I had that moment today - as we pulled into the casino valet parking.  This man has given very careful thought and consideration to make our 25th anniversary magical - and no French speaking mouse will be involved.  :-)  I still tear up when I think about it - just the sweetest, most heartfelt thing he could have possibly done.  

While I feel it has sure added a lot of complexity to some things (I will need a dress, I think.  Right?  I should wear a dress.  And a dress means shoes.  And lingerie.  Slips.  Etc. Yikes.  I've got a lot of shopping to do) it will be a wonderful memory and will make the day just so, so special.  

And yes, we're stilling going to the park - just the day before our anniversary instead of the day of. 

J., thank you for telling me what you were thinking of doing - and thanks for all the work you've done to make it so amazing.  I am so happy to know that the 25th anniversary of the day we became man and wife means as much to you as it does to me and that like me, you want to celebrate it with something really special.  While surprising me would have been amazing (I'm not even slightly disappointed that I know...I'm just so in awe of your planning it all), I'm overjoyed to be in on the planning and now look forward to our trip even more than I was....and that's pretty hard to believe since we're both pretty excited about it.  Your thoughtfulness and ideas make me feel so special and I'm so blessed to be your wife.  Thank you so much for loving me and wanting to make the day so amazing.  I can't wait!