Twenty years ago yesterday, two starry-eyed, clueless kids were married. Family and friends forced smiles and held their breath, wondering if we could actually make a life together. We've made our share of mistakes along the way, but as I told Aaron in a card last night, "you are the only one capable of taking me to the beautiful places in life most people only see in their dreams." It's obvious we belong together.
Aaron spent the day at work, and so did I. I managed a car washing business for Sasha and Jaxon, helped the girls with their dog sitting, wiped away tears, broke up fights, cooked, cleaned, and planned for a romantic evening with my sweetheart.
Since going out on a real date is impossible right now, we would go in on a real date. The media room was transformed into a cozy dining room, Thai food was delivered, and the girls were hired as waitresses. Aaron texted me and told me to be ready at 5 to shop for a new ring. I texted him and told him to be dressed in his best. At 5:30pm, looking fresh and in love, we left the house for the 30 minutes we dared, tried on a beautiful new ring, and then returned home to unveil the surprise to Aaron.
With a carefully chosen playlist in the background, we closed the door and ate a quiet dinner alone. Our moment was interrupted by Sasha who begged to go to "Big Mac" (that's what he calls the store). He and Jaxon sped away on their bikes while we finished our romantic dinner. Aaron made his way downstairs and I was still upstairs when we heard, "MA?! PA?!" bellowing through the house. The boys were standing by our room with hands concealed behind their backs. When both Aaron and I got to them, their hands came out from hiding and revealed a dozen red roses and a box of chocolates. The girls had given us their own roses and chocolates the day before. We felt extremely loved.
The kids all gave us one last gift - 2 hours alone to watch one of our favorite movies. They behaved themselves and only interrupted about five times.
After the movie, an exhausted Aaron excused himself to go to bed. I hung with the kids in the kitchen and helped them scrounge up a late night snack. Then something unexpected happened. Ilona asked if she could say a prayer. Alina did too. We gathered together, arms folded, heads bowed, and listened to perhaps their first prayer ever uttered. I wish Aaron could have been there. It was more beautiful than any new dress. Or romantic dinner. Or diamond ring.
Aaron spent the day at work, and so did I. I managed a car washing business for Sasha and Jaxon, helped the girls with their dog sitting, wiped away tears, broke up fights, cooked, cleaned, and planned for a romantic evening with my sweetheart.
Since going out on a real date is impossible right now, we would go in on a real date. The media room was transformed into a cozy dining room, Thai food was delivered, and the girls were hired as waitresses. Aaron texted me and told me to be ready at 5 to shop for a new ring. I texted him and told him to be dressed in his best. At 5:30pm, looking fresh and in love, we left the house for the 30 minutes we dared, tried on a beautiful new ring, and then returned home to unveil the surprise to Aaron.
With a carefully chosen playlist in the background, we closed the door and ate a quiet dinner alone. Our moment was interrupted by Sasha who begged to go to "Big Mac" (that's what he calls the store). He and Jaxon sped away on their bikes while we finished our romantic dinner. Aaron made his way downstairs and I was still upstairs when we heard, "MA?! PA?!" bellowing through the house. The boys were standing by our room with hands concealed behind their backs. When both Aaron and I got to them, their hands came out from hiding and revealed a dozen red roses and a box of chocolates. The girls had given us their own roses and chocolates the day before. We felt extremely loved.
The kids all gave us one last gift - 2 hours alone to watch one of our favorite movies. They behaved themselves and only interrupted about five times.
After the movie, an exhausted Aaron excused himself to go to bed. I hung with the kids in the kitchen and helped them scrounge up a late night snack. Then something unexpected happened. Ilona asked if she could say a prayer. Alina did too. We gathered together, arms folded, heads bowed, and listened to perhaps their first prayer ever uttered. I wish Aaron could have been there. It was more beautiful than any new dress. Or romantic dinner. Or diamond ring.
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