Before anything in March is posted, I had to recount to you a couple special stories which have further thrown me into infatuation with the perfect man I have the honor to call my fiance. The first story happened in January actually, so it is long overdue to have been posted. I'll begin with that, and then move on to my first real Valentine's Day.

It was a pretty ordinary Friday, and I remember specifically that I'd been scheduled for a double (which means I work in the morning 11-2ish and then go back at 4 or 5). I knew that Caleb was taking his test to officially be a stockbroker, and that he was excited to be done with the day. I also knew that he had been planning to surprise me with something over the duration of the past few weeks and that I was going to love whatever it was and that was all I knew.

So, this ordinary January Friday, I got off work around 2:30 and as always, checked my phone for any messages and found that I had one from Caleb. He had passed his test! So I thought nothing of it when he wanted me to call him back (little did I know that he was making sure when I would be home.) I called and we talked for an excited few minutes and then he said he was home and had to go. This is usually normal, but since he had arrived at my house a few minutes before, he didn't want to give any clues with potential telltale audio. So he left off with "I'll talk to you soon." I had no idea how soon....

I was in a great mood driving home. I was done with work for now and was going back, it was sunny out, and even though it was cold, it was just a pretty day and I was happy, and proud of my love for having passed his test. I drove up the driveway and I don't remember anything up until the moment I opened the garage door (the door inside the garage to the house, I mean.) In our house, to get to the kitchen, you go through the laundry room. I opened the door, and gasped.

There was a trail of red rose petals leading from the laundry room into the kitchen. "What in the world?" I wondered outloud. That's when I suspected there was something up, even though I still had no clue he was behind it. I walked slowly into the kitchen, only to behold a large vase of red roses. By then I started looking around, and then found a pinstripe suit hung neatly on the oven door. I recognized that... I touched it and then looked in the opposite direction because I knew Caleb was nearby now. He was peeking around the corner and had been watching me the entire time. A rush of butterflies and that familiar feeling of finally being home washed over me in that first glance. But the surprise wasn't over yet.

Caleb came over and hugged me since I was unable to move. I stood in front of the counter, gazing at the roses and him, and just smiled and he said, "Oh and by the way, you're not going back to work either. I'm taking you to the Symphony tonight, my love." Caleb went on to tell me that his test had been here in Cincinnati, and he had planned it all for a couple weeks. He had even called up my manager to request off work for me that evening. Just that he had planned it all, planned it and been successful at surprising me about it, unveiling everything perfectly, it amazed me, and made me so unspeakably happy, I couldn't even express to him how happy he made me with all of it. "Was that a good surprise, my love?" he asked, smiling. I gave him an exasperated "YES!"

The Symphony was wonderful, as was our dinner following (at PF Chang's). And I can't believe, still, that I am the one who is lucky enough to receive the chivalrous and perfectly romantic wooing of Caleb Wilson.

Valentine's Day was amazing too. We did our celebrating the day after, since it was more convenient, Sunday being our day together as usual, and so I could earn more money by working Valentine's Day rather than requesting it off. I was on the phone with him when he was figuring some things out for my surprise. It was quite fun hearing him say things like, "Ok, well they don't have what I need here, so I'm going to this OTHER store, but of course I can't tell you, my love, but I'm going to see if what they have will be better for this other thing" and "Oh this is going to be perfect! Even better...." and "Ok, I'm in the check out line now, I'll call you back in a minute." It more than piqued my curiosity, and definitely made me excited for the following day.

Sunday was wonderful, starting with Liturgy in the morning and seeing Caleb there, already singing in the choir --perfectly on time when we got there a few minutes late (probably my fault). After church, Caleb and I usually drive back to my parents house together in his car, and sometimes we shop a bit before going home, but today we didn't. As soon as we got to the car, he opened my door for me like he always does, and waiting for me, on my seat was a red card, which was to be the first of exactly twelve to follow. He got in the car while I read the note, and then he handed me a small square box which was tied with red twine. I opened it slowly, with anticipation and wonder at the time and effort I now was beginning to realize that he had put into all of this. Inside the box, nestled in foil was a batch of raspberry white chocolate covered bluberries made by Caleb himself. My foggy understanding of our conversation the previous day began to clear, and I chuckled as I remembered now what he must have been talking about. I tried a few blueberries...unbelievably good. The tartness of the berries was impeccably balanced with the sweetness of the raspberry white chocolate.

Caleb reached down to pull yet another box up from the floor at my feet and place it on my lap. This one was bigger and much heavier. I looked at him with a grin and raised eyebrows. The grin said I love you, and my expression asked What in the world is next? "Go on," he smiled, "open it." I untied the red twine and lifted the lid to reveal none other than a beautiful batch of dark chocolate covered strawberries. "Oh wow..." was all I could say. "Those little devils are double-dipped too!" Caleb added, proudly, looking over at me. I'd never really had good chocolate covered strawberries, from what I could remember. Now I'm glad I haven't, because these will always be first place to my pallate. He had worked at the chocolate concoctions all day Saturday!

Throughout the entire day (and the next, since he was spending the night,) I found red note after red note on my car seat or in funny, random places. He told me later that he had bought a 12-pack of red note cards in case he messed up on my card, and then he decided to use them all. I was slightly disappointed that since his display of affection was so masterfully revealed, I could hardly compete. But Caleb assured me, "Valentine's Day is for the women, my love, so you just let me do everything for you. Today is about you."

We had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant called Maggiano's which is next to the Cheesecake Factory. We got a filet mignon and four cheese ravioli, both of which were to die for. I hope we go there again sometime!

But in the end, what I remember is not what he gave me, but how he gave it to me.

And that's all for this post. :)

Cheers to all of you!