Today my husband and I are celebrating our twenty-fourth wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, he’s at church and I’m home with a sick child. Fortunately, he surprised me with a celebration two days early: dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, a movie, and a reservation to spend the night away from home. What a surprise!

I’m impressed with how my kids helped pull this off. My eighteen-year-old son held down the fort at home, and my twelve-year-old daughter packed a make-up bag for me. I learned to be a little less high-maintenance since she packed a more bare-bones bag than I would have, but I had the basics of what was needed.

The hotel even gave us a $20 gift card, which we used later to eat at the hotel restaurant.

When we left the hotel, my hubby actually took me shopping! He is incredibly patient, because I’m a very slow shopper. My favorite find was these brown Sporto riding-style boots for only $22 at Ross! I also found a dress that I can wear for our upcoming church meeting and a girls’ night out in a couple of weeks.

I am blessed with a sweetheart of a husband, one who still makes me feel as special as when we were dating. He not only encourages me in everything, but he makes it happen, like taking time off from work to stay with the kids so I could go to Photoshop World.

Happy Anniversary, honey! I look forward to growing old with you.