14 Years

Yesterday was our 14th wedding anniversary! Wow, how did that happen? For about a week, I've been trying to think of something fun to do to celebrate this. As everyone knows, LJ's work schedule is crazy and always changing so I hadn't actually put too much effort into planning something. Just thinking about it.

Only, I'm the first to admit that I'm not very creative. The best I could come up with was going to the temple and then out to dinner. I really did want to go to the temple because we don't get to go very often. LJ didn't have mutual that night and there was no piano lessons, achievement, or jump rope team practice after school so it seemed like the perfect day to get away for a little while, just the two of us. LJ's youngest brother, Andrew & his wife Mandy came to stay with the kids so off we went.



To the temple....the same one we got married in 14 years ago. My mind was filled with all kinds of memories of that day. From my friends, Amie & Tamara there on the front steps with me as I walked into that beautiful building as a single woman to walking out of the doors, with my very handsome husband grinning from ear to ear. And everything in between. I always enjoy going to the temple and this time was even more special.

After we were done LJ asked me what else I had planned for the day. I was a little embarrassed to admit that I couldn't come up with anything original. I started suggesting restaurants we could go to and then said that if we stay on this side of town to eat, we could go to Nielsen's for dessert. They have the BEST frozen custard and it's our favorite place to go after the temple. (It's on Gilbert Rd, just north of the 60) Then LJ said, "We could, but that would mess up our reservations." I was shocked, we had reservations???

It's a good thing LJ is very creative & romantic because he planned the most wonderful evening for us. It was perfect! He told me I could try & guess where we were going but he wouldn't tell me even if I got it right, it was a surprise. The only hint I got was that it was a place I had said I wanted to go to but never had. We were also going TO DO something that I had never done before. My curiosity was peaked but I have learned through the years that LJ has great taste and I never have to worry when he makes plans.

I was a little worried about not being dressed enough for a place that needed reservations. Of course I was dressed nice for the temple but I had been to the park that morning with Luke & changed clothes quickly when it was time to go. I grabbed the first thing I saw and didn't think too much about it. Then LJ asks me if I'd like some time to go shopping. Our reservation wasn't until 7:00 and we had some time to kill so I thought, why not. It's very rare that I get to do any shopping without a toddler and a baby tagging along so it would be nice. Then he said he had to run home & get something so he'd drop me off at the mall for about an hour. That might seem odd but I've learned to just go with the flow. He had a plan and I wasn't going to question anything.

As we pulled in the parking lot, out of the back seat he pulls a gift bag and gives me two gift cards. One to Yankee Candle Co. & the other to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Two of my favorite stores! He told me what I was wearing was nice and to have fun shopping. He'd pick me up in about an hour right here in this same spot.

I did get a few things at Macy's too and as I'm paying for my last purchase, he calls me to say he's there. I walk outside but can't find him. So I call him back to say, "where are you?" As the phone is ringing I notice a long white limo pulled off to the side and the driver is standing there looking at me. Then he said, "Amanda?" I'm speachless as he opens the door and said, "I'm here for you." I look in and there is LJ!

I've never ridden in a limo before!! I couldn't believe it! I was so excited, like a giddy school girl. Then we were off to our dinner. While riding in the limo I realized I didn't have my camera. I told LJ, "I have to blog this!" He said we could get a few pictures when we got back home.

I realized we were driving down town and soon quessed we were going to eat in the Compass Room. A resturant on the 24th floor of the Hyatt. I have always wanted to go there. The resturant is circular and actually rotates slowly so you have this amazing view of the city! It was beautiful! Here are a few pics from their website.






It moves very slowly and takes about an hour to go all the way around. They have little plaques along the way to tell what you're looking at and how far away something is. One of the plaques was showing the White Tank Mountains and said it was 25 miles. Funny thing....that is where LJ proposed to me 14 years ago. We were on a picnic for my birthday.

One thing I had heard about the Compass Room was that the food wasn't that good but the desserts were. Well, they must have made some changes since then because we both thought the food was amazing! LJ had a rib eye steak and I had salmon. The portions were perfect & we were full without anything left over. We shared a pumpkin spice cake for dessert and that was actually only OK. We didn't finish it because we were so full.

When we got back to the house the kids were so excited to see us..... and the limo of course! LJ asked the driver to take me & the kids around the block for a quick ride and they were thrilled!! They were in their pj's & Ally was just out of the shower but she didn't care. Emily wished her friends could see her driving by. Luke kept saying over & over again, "We're in a limo!" I'm pretty sure that before now, he didn't know what a limo was but he really liked it. I finally had my camera & was able to get a few pictures.

I had to take 2 pictures to get all of the limo in the dark.

The driver was very nice and offered to take a family picture in front of the car.

This was such a fun anniversary and I am so lucky to have a sweet, thoughtful, romantic, creative & caring husband who would do all of this just for me! Ally & Emily were very impressed that their Dad would do something like this. I hope they find someone just as special as I did to spend the rest of my life with!

I love you, sweetie!!!