So I have been asking (nagging) for quite some time now that we never go on dates anymore. I'm not talking about for an hour or two where we go to dinner and come home and pass out on the couch from being in a food coma...though I do enjoy this. I wanted a REAL date. I wanted to have fun and dress up and be spontaneous...yet totally well planned. The biggest part? I didn't want to plan it. I wanted Randy to plan things like he used to. Our first date we ever went on (please keep in mind that we were 17 and 18 and still in high school) was to dinner, putt-putt, go carts, and the movie, Serendipity. Our second date we ever went on, he totally surprised me while I was at home still asleep, rang the doorbell with a white rose in hand, and said, "Get dressed. I'm taking you out." We went to a coffee shop in downtown Garland. Then he said, "Get in the car. I want to take you somewhere". We drove to the lake where he pulled out a blanket from the back of his car where hidden underneath was a picnic basket filled with all sorts of yummy breakfast food. We ate and talked and slow danced with the radio up. It was just the 2 of us out at the lake, and it was the greatest time. Pretty sure it was that day that I decided I was going to marry him one day. ;)
Randy used to do stuff like that all the time! He was the KING of romantic gestures and creative dates. Then, well, life happens. My nagging turned into desperation. I had a cRaZy school year, and it was over this week. I NEEDED to get out. This song sums up my feelings...and yes, I sent it to Randy at work one day with fingers crossed in hopes he would get a clue. Haha!
He certainly did!
As I mentioned, my last day of school was this past Thursday. I brought my class inside from the playground, and there was a box from "Nothing Bundt Cakes". Inside was an assortment of miniature bundt cakes including red velvet, lemon, chocolate, and my favorite, white chocolate raspberry. If you've never had these things, let me tell you...AMAZING!!! My co-teacher and I had received several sweet gifts from our kiddos, and I thought surely that's what this was. However, it only read, "This box belongs to Kelly McBrayer" (my name is always misspelled). I went and found our assistant director/my friend from way back when, Katie, and she told me that Randy had called her earlier that morning for the school address and had it delivered. I called to thank him, and he told me he wanted to make sure that I had a great last day of school since he knew what a tough year it had been. Swoon.
The next day, Friday, he had to go to Los Angeles for business. So it was just Kendall and I. We hung out around the house playing and cleaning.
Saturday morning, we took Kendall to his parents' house in Sachse so that she could spend the day and night with them while we went out! Woo hoo! I was so excited but sooooooo nervous. For those that don't know, I am a planner. I'm not spontaneous at all. I like to know where we're going, when, with whom, etc etc etc. He told me that I needed to just trust him. ::sigh:: OK. Let's go.
First, we ended up in Downtown McKinney. We walked to the prison...ummm...what the heck??? I see this look of defeat on Randy's face. Apparently, there was once this restaurant inside of the prison called "The Prison Bars and Grill". There once stood 2 statues outside of the prison of the Blues Brothers, and each cell inside had been turned into little tables and booths where you would be served. So cool!!! However, it closed, and is now just a historical marker. Randy looked so disappointed. I made light of it all and said I'm sure we would find somewhere equally fun. We ended up at this cute little restaurant for brunch called "The Pantry". The food was awesome! Home cookin' in a precious little old building.
We decided to eat upstairs...just cuz. I love places like this! So, the other place being closed ended up leading to a great find.
We also went and browsed the shops downtown. I came across this, and it made me miss our little one. What are the odds?!?
Then, on to our next place. I had no idea where we were headed!
Randy was so mischievious and excited. Cute.
We ended up here...
Ummm....ok. Gotta tell ya. I wasn't totally stoked. Ha!
However, from the minute we stepped out of the car, there were butterflies EVERYWHERE! It was beautiful! We went on about a 5 mile nature walk, and the scenery was breathtaking. We laughed and talked the whole time.
We went into this enclosed butterfly pavilion. However, there was ONE butterfly inside. Looks like someone didn't read the sign.
Randy: "Hey! Look! That must be for bats! ...or Batman!
He was "falling"
Turtles!
Ummmm....snakes?!?!
We had to go around the mud.
I want these in my yard!
So pretty!!!
A kiss in the woods :)
That whole part of the date was something I know I will never forget.
We loaded back up into the truck, cranked on the AC, and headed back to the house to clean up and get ready for the next part of the date. I took a nap.on the couch.uninterrupted. It was GLORIOUS!
I'd say we clean up pretty nice ;)
Sorry for the blur. I was a bit shaky because I was so hungry!
I loved that Randy asked that I get fancy for the rest of the night. It's so fun to dress like this since I don't work in a place where it would be practical by any stretch to do so.
Then we got in the car...still not knowing where I was going...and ended up at.....
Heck yes! I have ALWAYS wanted to try it, and Mexican food is always on my radar. Haha!
Asada y camarones...in English, yummy! The shrimp were bacon, cheese, and jalapeno wrapped.
Then, he ordered dessert! We NEVER do this.
Apple pie with cinnamon ice cream topped with brandy butter sauce. The best dessert I have ever had.
After good food and great company, we headed back out. Again, no clue where we were going.
The movies! Sweet!!!! The last movie we saw was at this theater (635 and Webb Chapel) almost one year ago. That's too dang long!
I'm wondering, "Why the heck are we out here in the hood?!?!" Then it dawns on me. A hotel where we used to stay is right up the street. I ask Randy if we were going there afterwards. He has this cheesy grin on his face and tells me no.
Sure, honey, sure.
While in line to get a coke, he hands me a piece of paper. I unfold it, and it is a confirmation page for reservations at...
Wahoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
But first, we have a movie to see, of course!
I know it got mixed reviews, mostly bad, but we thought it was hilarious! We cracked up the whole time. It was so much fun to sit there and be able to watch a movie, just the 2 of us...like we used to.
Off to the hotel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ta-da! The Hilton Lincoln Center. Isn't it purdy?!?!?!
Here are some pics I took.
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This was such an awesome surprise...from the special delivery at school all the way through to the hotel. I couldn't have asked for anything better. The best part? The time we had together as a couple to rekindle the spark. It's always there. Sometimes you just have to get away from the noise to hear each other. Life is messy. I encourage all of my married friends to do something like this every once in a while. Go away together. Just as you see, we didn't fly away somewhere. We stayed locally, but still got away. Outside of the house. Outside of the chaos and routine. We missed Kendall, but we needed that time to better our relationship. In the end, we want her to always know how much her parents were crazy about each other. Because, that's exactly how we feel. We've been married for 6 years this July (07.07.07), but together for 12 this November! Wow!
I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. I love you, Randy.
