The Romantic Anniversary

I didn't believe it until I heard it from my wife's lips - our romantic anniversary is more important than our wedding anniversary. My good friend Chris Dolson first told me this to be true. I didn't really comprehend the statement until Katie affirmed it. So here I am, celebrating our romantic anniversary. TMI? I don't think so - I hate that kind of thing. I'm here to tell you about something we all do, something we all think about, and something some of us should probably think about more - kissing.

According to my last entry, Katie and I met at the Memorial Union Terrace on a Thursday afternoon two years ago. I asked her to hang out a couple days later, at a Brewers Game. It was there that I asked her on an official date. We went to breakfast at Lazy Jane's. No kiss. Then I asked her out for a second date later that day - La Hacienda on Park Street. No kiss. We walked down to the terrace and out for coffee at Starbucks. Now it gets interesting. There was a severe tornado warning, so Starbucks was making everyone get into the basement. I knew this meant one thing - no kiss. So I got us out of there and we went back to her place. Amanda was there and was facinated with the storm. I was facinated with the anticipation of the start of this romantic anniversary... No kiss. And that ended our date.

Should I just get to it? We were down at Summerfest the next night for the fireworks, and I was thinking of the perfect thing to say, it wasn't perfect, but No kiss No more. Come on! Smile, you've been there...! It's not TMI, it's romantic. And it's memorable, and that's a romantic anniversary!

As I learn about marriage, I'm realizing the importance of such things. Sure, they mean a lot to Katie but they also mean a lot to me. Memories are so precious. They're unique. They stir an emotion that's personal and powerful. Certain memories can never be replicated, but they can never be lost. They're yours forever. Words to live by - Remember.

06.17.04 - Yes, 2004

Yesterday Katie and I went to the Memorial Union Terrace. Hundreds of other people were there with us, and thousands will do the same this summer. But our trip to the Terrace had memories rolling through our heads. Two years ago, I was talking to my friend Amanda about coming to see her cousin, Katie, at the Terrace on a warm Thursday afternoon. Her sisters Becky and Kelly were there, as was our friend Jodie. I walked down the steps and met Katie for the first time. We ended up sitting on the upper deck and playing cards under that tree which sits in the middle of the seating area. I got a pitcher of beer for us and we had our first conversation. I don't remember what we talked about, what she wore, or even what was going through my mind. What I do remember is an excitement about meeting this new girl, a girl who kept me at the edge of my seat and who I just wanted to spend more time with. I wanted to drive her home, but she insisted on walking home with Amanda and Jodie. But that was the start. What happened in the next week will be the subject of my next entry. How's that for an unapologetic cliffhanger?

Door County

As I said in my last post, Katie gave me the best gift ever... a three day trip to Door County. The details are what made the trip such a great gift. When I travel, I need to have maps and research about where we're going. I love maps. I have to know what coffee shops are in the area and where we can stop along the way to make the trip as memorable as possible. So Katie put together a 13-page itinerary (seen here) for a trip that included 2 days where I thought we'd be working - she took off work with my boss!

We left Sunday afternoon and got into Sturgeon Bay where we had reservations at our bed and breakfast. Here's a pic.
The coolest thing was our room was called the Library Suite. As you can see, the room was located behind a bookshelf - I think I'll have to include such a feature when I build our house in the years to come.





Monday we went to the Simon Creek Winery and sat outside for a bottle and a snack, while listening to a guitar player. That night we had dinner at the Inn at Kristopher's - if you can get reseravations for about 7:30, you'll catch a beautiful sunset.

Tuesday we were supposed to go to Penninsula State Park to ride bikes, picnic, and lay in the sun. But the sun was interupted by clouds and thunder showers. It rained hard all day - huge bummer. So we'll have to come back up to do this part of Door County. So we made our adjustments and found an unexpected thrill-of-a-time --- antiques! Katie bought an iron wallhanging and I got an old catcher's mask. I plan to have a baseball theme for the summer on our mantle.

We had relaxing breakfasts, romantic dinners, good coffee, good conversation, and new wonderful memories from our trip to Door County. Plan a trip there soon and call us for some places we found and loved.