The big day started the night before when Dave began baking me a birthday cake. He figured after last year’s tutorial, he was ready to go!
Then, in the am (as in 6:00 am, because I had to work) Dave woke me up. First, with the printer next to the bed coming to life and spitting a few sheets of paper onto the floor. Seconds later with our breakfast-in-bed tray, a single lit candle, and the birthday song. He handed me a gift with the freshly-printed pages folded on top. Of course, I read the card first. A poem, as is traditional with Dave. While all darling, the jist was:
The card: “To celebrate your 28th, we’re going to FLORIDA on the 28th!”
My reaction: {AHHH! WHAT?? YAY!!}
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The card: “What!!??!!?!!?!????! Huh?? You have nothing to wear??? Don’t you worry, I won’t leave you bare………I’ve got you covered- Literally.”
My reaction: {Really? I better open this box…A MATERNITY SUIT! Perfect! And actually darling even though he chose it out himself!}
And it is. And we are! Heading to Fort Lauderdale for a couple days en route to Utah for Dave’s sister’s wedding on March 4th. It will be the perfect break from the cold and the schedule. If my husband is anything, he is clever and thoughtful.
So, the day could’ve ended there, and I’d’ve (word? should be.) been thrilled. But, it went on…
I went to work. Fun. Blah. Blah.
Locked my keys in the car. Not fun. Blah. Blah.
Felt a little bad that Milo went from one sitter to the next in about an hour, due to my unexpected layover in the parking lot. Blah.Blah.
Then I put on my Birthday sweater (thank you Mike and Melanie!) and we headed off for dinner and the game! (Side story: I mentioned to a friend that we were going to the Wizards for my birthday, and she reminded me her hubby works for them. She said she’d see if he could get us out of the nosebleeds. She texted me in the afternoon on my day and said to call him when we arrived, that he had “better tickets” and they “included food/drinks.” Awesome! Not knowing exactly what was involved with these new tickets, we thought it safe to still eat some real food before we ventured off…)
Dave had made reservations at a new-to-us place in Chinatown near the stadium. Cuba Libre. We ate from the small plates menu and absolutely adored everything we tried. The Guava ribs were my favorite for sure…and I will be back for more of them!
The atmosphere at dinner was fun, lively, and the place was packed. It was good to get in at 6pm because by 7pm when we left for the game, it was basically standing room around the bar, and a line for any tables.
So, we walk over to the Verizon Center, give our friend a call, and he meets us with new tickets. Now, remember where our old ones were…see the shadows up in yonder corner of this photo? Yep, about level with the American Flag?
Now see our new seats. About seven rows from the court! I mean…I could actually SEE THE PLAYERS! Like, READ THE NAMES ON THEIR JERSEYS! It was amazing! The hoops looked short because these guys are soo tall.
And the actual game was super duper entertaining. Lots of “alley-opps” and “poster shots” (yeah, Dave taught me the lingo.) Don’t worry that before last night I thought a “Field Goal” only applied to football. Dave cleared that one up for me, too! Oh, and we got on the kiss cam! All around fun.
We were neighbors with the Wizards Dancers…and I was sort of mesmerized by how many sparkling, barely-there outfits they wore in 2 hours.
And we needn’t have eaten before (though the ribs were awesome.) The “Courtside Club” provided from hot dogs, nachos and popcorn to prime rib, salads, a great cheese selection, beef stroganoff, ice cream, and all sorts of drinks! Enough to keep little Eliot comfortably fed all evening:)
Big Tig was the evenings DJ. I’m not sure who he is, but Dave seemed impressed. And he mixed it up pretty well! Is it awkward to break it down while sporting a baby bump? I do anyway. I’m pretty sure it’s awkward.
And, just when I thought that basketball couldn’t get any better, a lady brought around a huge basket of chocolate chunk cookies. And it got better. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that the other team missed two foul shots during the Chick-fil-A sponsor thing, so our tickets will get us free sandwiches there this week!
Basically the whole experience was unexpected and amazing. I might be converted to sports (especially when I can watch it live, on the floor, with cheese plates and chocolate chunks;)
Once back at home, all that was left was to make a special birthday wish and indulge in a slice of Dave’s homemade cake. Both were wonderful.
And so, I’m 28.
I’ve got a relaxing vacation planned, a new favorite restaurant, a fantastic introduction to a new hobby, a husband who bakes, a son who keeps me moving, a baby on the way and my cup runneth over.
And I learned the purpose of Facebook (it’s birthdays.)
