Ceeeelebrate Good Times-COME ON!

For more than the annual Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations, Autumn is quickly becoming THE most celebrated season in both the Keepers and my life!  At least I think so!

Other wives might shake their fingers my way in haste chastising me for getting married only 4 days after my birthday forever risking the possibility of the dreaded “combo gift”.  My poor Father has been struck by this lightening blot on more than a few occasions celebrating his birthday a mere 2 days after Christmas on December 27th. Ugh! – but I digress….

Before deciding on the date of the “Big Day”, the Keeper was well forewarned by both myself and his Aunt.  Tag Teaming to get our point across we made sure that he understood, if we chose 10/4 as our wedding date, my birthday and anniversary gifts should remain separate!  Choosing “Ten Four” was also good for another reason, I mean, it’s kitchy and easy to remember right?!  Ten Four, Rodger that!  (Sorry Keeper with a date like that there’s really no excuse to forget our anniversary- EVER!)  

So far so good, my Birthday celebrations kicked off without a hitch - one day to go until our one year anniversary.  I’ll be sure to post news on celebrations and details on my loot, um uh I mean presents next week! 

In the meantime, I’ve been feeling dreamy lately.  I pulled out some old photos from our courting days and came upon a hard copy of an old email that I’d sent out a few days after our engagement recapping our story. 

What a special time that was.  That said, I hope you’ll take a walk down memory lane with me…..

You make me Sick Part One

The Keeper and I met in late Spring 2007 during allergy season.
Something must have caught his eye as I coughed my way into the Dr’s office! (mind you, the Dr. = Uncle/Best Man/BFF) That, or my file made for some interesting reading material.

Either way, something sparked! -A push and a nudge from the Dr’s yenta Nurse, and the rest is history.

Coming off of a crazy work month, I was pretty grouchy. Per The Keeper’s suggestion….I deserved some pampering, and I fully agreed! So, to the Salon for a massage I went. Ahhh relaxation, surely this would put me in a better mood!
As I left the Salon, I called the Keeper to gloat.

Me: “ Hi Sweetheart…how’s it goin?”

Keeper replies: “I feel sick…”

Me: “Really honey?”

Keeper: “I think it was the almond extract that you used in the French Toast this morning.”

Me: (This was the 4th time that the Keeper had mentioned the dreaded French toast.  Mind you, not to toot my own horn, but I am pretty accomplished in the kitchen!  That French Toast was freaking delicious.  If not for self control/risk of being late for my massage appointment, I might have eaten both his plate and mine!) “Uhhhhh…ok….I've got it…you didn't like the French toast.”

The Keeper abruptly responds: “Can I just talk to you when you get back to the apartment?”

Me: “Uh…ok.”

And just like that he hung up.

I thought to myself, wow, I wonder why he’s being so short with me today? I can’t believe he didn’t want to hear all about my fantastic self indulging experience. Then I thought, maybe I shouldn’t rub it in…I did practically kill him with my French toast this morning?!? 

When I arrive at home, the Keeper is sitting on the couch watching TV, (my breakfast dishes are washed, bed made & living room straightened up). How did I not find this strange? I say thank you for cleaning the apartment then join him on the couch.

As I begin to tell him about my experience, I realize that he is not really paying attention to what I’m saying. With this, I decide to call the Parental Units. Surely my Mother will "wow" over me and at least PRETEND to be excited for my self indulgence. No answer? Hmmm...I say out loud…“I wonder why my Mom isn’t answering her cell phone…doesn’t she know I could be getting engaged right now!” I laugh. (at this point in our relationship, both the Keeper and I are fully aware that we will be wed ‘one day’ so a joke like this is not taboo.) 

The Keepers heart beats hard as he retorts in a snarky tone, “Do you know that you talk about getting married all the time? You know you’ve really been bringing it up a lot lately.”
--The count reaches 2-0 with as he throws a curve ball by picking a fight about marriage. A still nauseous Keeper suggests we “Go to dinner early” he’s hungry?!?!

Throughout dinner he’s not really eating. He explains, “I’m full…I’m not feeling right from breakfast”. (At this point I’m thinking…please stop insulting my cooking. That French toast was delicious!)

Me: “ Uh…ok…we can go home then.”

As we head back to the apartment, I’m complaining about how physically exhausted I am from my strenuous day at the salon.
I no sooner walk into the living room and grab for the remote when The Keeper barks in a stern voice, “Sit down on the couch and keep your eyes forward.”

What?  Uhhh OK General! “You’ve been working so hard lately, I got you a present while you were gone.” He hands me a beautifully wrapped box with a card. At first glance I think to myself…. “There is no way he wrapped this!” The box is heavy…I think…what can this be?
I slowly open the paper so as not to destroy it.
Inside the box I see a beautiful silver frame with a photo. The picture is of a green sign with gold lettering on it that reads… “SAY YES!”

A few moments pass, some tears are shed, & in true self fashion without skipping a beat, I head straight to the bathroom & throw up!
(But not before I "Said Yes!")  

How far we’ve come in such a brief amount of time. 

Happy Anniversary Keeper. 

I love you.

~The Keepers Wife.