Much to Carly's disgust . . .

Rob and I celebrated this past weekend royally (in all its holiday-ness)! I used to be pretty neutral about Valentines Day. I didn't really care either way. Celebrate or don't. Whatever. It is very commercial, but what better thing to celebrate than love, right? But I discovered this year that now that I have a forever Valentine, I love it! Not only am I guaranteed to always have someone who loves me, but I have someone who will love me for always, and I, him. Okay, and it probably helps that our anniversary is the next day. The two biggest excuses to celebrate and smother each other in tokens of love and affection are right next to each other. So you can pretty much count on us celebrating at this time of year, every year. Carly and Casey, we won't hesitate to let you guys babysit that weekend if we are in California. We know you won't be busy :)
Last year we spent our wedding night at the Grand America Hotel. We had a fantastic time. It is so luxurious and fun. Because it was our wedding, we received a certificate from the Hotel, providing us with a free upgrade to a suite if we came and stayed there again the next year during the month of our anniversary. So we did. I am a ridiculous planner (sorry Bob) so we had this planned months in advance. Friday I took a half day at work and went home early to pack and then checked into the hotel. I lounged around in the hotel robe for a while and then got all dolled-up for the evening. I wore the same outfit I wore to our wedding luncheon a year ago (I am a sucker for traditions). Rob had made reservations weeks earlier at the Five Alls, an old english style restaurant that serves a five course meal. I went to the office and walked straight up to Rob's office without him even knowing I was on my way yet (one of the perks to us both having after hours access to the same office building). He said I was gorgeous and after about 25 minutes I finally got him out of the office. He talked the whole way to the restaurant on the phone with one of the partners about a case they are working on. I went into the restaurant alone to make sure we still had reservations (we were a little late) and waited at the table for Rob to come in. The food was fabulous. We both had filet mignon, his topped with crab, mine with blue cheese. We talked, one of my favorite things to do. I LOVE talking with my husband.
When the meal was done, we drove back to the hotel. Rob was so tired because he works so hard. We had a relaxing evening full of bubble baths (one of my favorite things about the Grand America, tubs big enough for bubble baths) and foot massages.
The next morning was Valentines Day. We went to the breakfast buffet which was so tasty. Then we stayed in the room. Rob worked a little, I read. It was just nice. We went to a movie with my parents and early dinner and then went back to the room again. The rooms at this hotel are so nice, you really like to just stay in them.
Rob got sick that night, I had to go get him some Pepto Bismol (It was the hot wing sauce from dinner I am guessing. This is very normal for us, Rob's stomach is very sensitive). We watched Seinfeld and he felt better.
The next morning was our 1 year anniversary! We slept in and then packed up to check out. Rob waited until 11:30 am, the same time we exchanged rings in the temple last year, and he presented me with another diamond accented band to go with my wedding rings. It is so beautiful. I am very excited about it and can't stop staring at my hand, kindof like right after we got engaged.
Anyway, the rest of the weekend was great. We went to a fantastic fireside that night about the Joseph Smith papers by the managing editor of the project, Brother Esplin. Monday we bought a bread maker from Macy's with gift cards still left from our wedding. Rob is finally totally happy. He says he will be the bread maker in our house and I am completely okay and excited about that. We will let you know how our first loaf is.
My cousin came from Arizona for one day to have my mom alter her wedding dress. She is getting married in March. We had dinner all together on Monday and then Rob and I took her to the airport.
But honestly, Rob and I are more in love than ever it seems, and I think that anticipation and fulfillment of the celebration of our love is something that keeps us so excited about each other and the life that we are building. I know Valentines Day is cheesy and commercial, but I like to think of it as a way to get creative about how I can show Rob that I love him. It is a great excuse. I get excited thinking about all the different ways we are going to celebrate in February in our lives. Like next year, for example, I could be hugely pregnant in February. Yikes! I will have to be really creative! :)
This weekend was absolutely wonderful. Thank you Rob, for all you do for me always.