so yesterday was the big day... ok, maybe perhaps not the biggest... but the official day none the less. yup, yesterday [exactly one month before my birthday] Jonathan turned 25!
I've been [and am still in the process of] giving him cards (some Hallmark, some not... much to his mocking dismay!) for days now... yesterday's were #13-15. As I was on the run for FatSandwiches� for almost everyone in the office, I called him up and offer to kick up his lunch a notch... he tried the whole, "you're getting me dinner" thing...
but I insisted, reminding him, "it's your birthday!" quickly had a half a cheese steak in a separate bag, tucked in #14, and swung by the hotel for him to bundle up until eating time.
As soon as I was able to get out of the office (a half hour later than expected) I called up Carol to see if they had an iron, and some wrapping paper I could use. Sure enough, I was off to my papa's house.
I don't know who invented ironing, and why it's necessary for some garments, but GodAlmighty!� I'm certainly not an area of expertise for me in the slightest... a good 30-40 minutes later I had a nice white shirt that wasn't so wrinkly.
Then I began to tackle the wrapping obstacle. At home, the night before I'd found that all my remnants and scraps of paper weren't big enough to cover the gift unless I wanted to get all funky and create some sort of collage of powder puff girls, smiley faces, and christmas pooh. Carol conjured up a nice roll of lavender, and I was good to go.
After ooo-ing and ahh-ing over the painting, she noted that I didn't have a frame. We talked a bit about where'd I'd looked, my refusal to shop at Wal*Mart, and where I might be able to find something at a later date. Suddenly wheels started spinning, and Carol remembered a frame she had stowed away after deciding to go another route with some pictures. I could barely believe who incredibly perfect it was!
I quickly began bending back all the little tabs around the backing, carefully trying to remove the navy blue tissue paper and white lace arrangement she had made on there, and set the unnecessary glass aside. Next thing I know, my painting looked rather fabulous, and was ready for final wrapping and presentation. Now I just had to change and go get the boy for dinner.
Somewhere along the lines, I think I was still ironing at that point, he had called, suddenly remembering the Doug's discount... so we were to go there first. Again, this time as I was trying desperately to change and make it out the door in time, he called again. I hadn't checked the clock in a while, so I got worried that I was running late. Nope, he was just letting me know he was ready, in case I was too and wanted to get a jump start on things *slight growl, with a chintzy smile to push it away*
So I'm all good to go, packed myself pack into my car... and the lousy thing pulls its "nope, not gonna do it!" act, and I ended up having to call him and have him drive... *pouty lip of sadness*
We got to Doug's, he picked out a nice pair of shoes... got a whoppin' discount, and we were on our way [finally] to eat. After much discussion, and great consideration from various sources, I had landed on the idea of Divots: shouldn't be busy on a wednesday, rather tucked away, quiet, nice menu variety, not overly expensive, good fish & chips, etc.
Along the way we spot a fantabulous moon, turns out to be an eclipse... Jonathan is getting phone calls of celebration left & right... looking to be a fun night. We walk into Divots and there is this gihugic conjunction of tables spread out near the entry, filled with women who were obviously having a gay ol' time... and the rest of the place was just as packed and partying! Jonathan took it in for less than a minute, smiled a quiet grin to me and asked matter-of-factly, "so, wanna try someplace else!?"
I think he's one of the few people I've ever gone out to eat with who will quickly make such a snubbing decision and actually turn tail and leave a restaurant with me! we've done it twice now that I can recollect... or wait, more! because after the Michelotti rehearsal we ran the gamut of downtown eateries finally settling on 6th St. It's nice to not feel like you have to settle, once a decision has otherwise seemingly been made.
Anywho, hopped back in the car... and headed back downtown to North Oak, with more moon ogling, phone call receiving, and fun times along the way!
As can be expected, the atmosphere was perfectly peaceful and pleasant. The food was simply amazing, and I ate more than I've eaten in quite some time... without flinching. It was just fabulously spectacular! We doodled throughout the meal on the fun butcher paper, with a measly glass of unsharpened crayons... who would've imagined an octopus in a tutu would spill out of jonathan's fingers!? We split the daily salad creation [with capers & shrimps]. I wiped my plate clean, while Jonathan had plenty to take home for later. And we had cr�me br�l�e for dessert with yummy coffee! *sits back in sheer joy simply remembering the tastes roll around in her mouth*
Random things:
- our two entr�es added up to exactly $27
- jonathan drew himself a birthday cake, placing 27 candles atop *giggle*
Jonathan took me back to my dad's to get my car... and I followed him back to the house to hang a bit while he laid down more poly somethingthane on the new concrete counter tops, and finally give him his actual gift.
Hard to read the boy, but I think he really and truly liked the painting... not a whole lot of words were spoken, but he gave me a nice hug and even went so far as to consider prominent display of it in his room *sigh of utter relief*
I sort of threw myself out there on that one. I've never actually painted anything on canvas... hands are excruciatingly difficult to properly represent without looking totally cartoony... and it was just really super special for me, and seriously God focused... I just prayed he felt as intensely about it all!
