I had planned a really special weekend for President's day weekend, just because. All he knew was that we were going away for the weekend. I didn't tell him a thing about where we were going or what we'd be doing. Sadly, I had to cancel this weekend because of life circumstances.

When we were dating, we were both on the road a lot (plus lived over an hour away from each other), so lots of our communication was via email. Neither of us are much for talking on the phone. Especially me. Note to my friends (except sis): I hate talking on the phone!

This is a snippet of an email I got from him in January 2003 (and nobody'd better make fun of the fact that he likes Shakespheare, or I'll hunt you down and kick your butt!). I had written that my favorite time of year to go to the Northwest beaches was winter. I love the huge waves, foggy gray horizon, contrasted by sitting in a warm room next to a fireplace.

He wrote back:

Wow. A really lovely mental picture of the ocean during the stormy season (thank you for that). I would absolutely love to end up with you at a seaside or mountain retreat for some weekend with plenty of wine, a fireplace, a stormy night, and a few really good books. I think it would be wonderful to read something to each other. I have always enjoyed Shakespeare in this environment. The Hamlet soliloquy, Saint Crispin’s Day speech in Henry V, maybe even the repartee between Dromio and Ephesus in A Comedy Of Errors. The verbal tennis game in Waiting For Gudeou (sp) is fun too. It is based on Shakespeare, so it counts. Sound like fun?

So, here's what I planned:

1. We were going to stop at Borders books first, and he and I would each pick out a book. (I was going to find his Shakespeare books in advance and bring with.)


2. Then off to the wine store and pick out several good wines.


3. When we got in the room, I was going to hand him the email, printed on nice paper and tied with a bow.

I scheduled a suite here, right on the ocean:


See how loved he is?

And now you know... I'm not all just fun and games. I have a squishy side too.