I know that there are a lot of people who think that Valentine's Day is a lame holiday, but I love it. Aside from the "commercialism" of it, I think that it is great that a day has been set aside to celebrate relationships. This holiday is especially important to me because 8 years ago, it was the day that Matt chose to propose to me. I picked Matt up from his office at Wells Fargo bank downtown, and he had planned a picnic dinner (Yes...an outdoor picnic in the middle of February in Oregon...brrrr) on the top of Rocky Butte, complete with candles. On the side of the mountain, he proposed to me and asked me to be his wife. I have been happy every day since that I said yes. He is an amazing husband and my love for him has grown even stronger watching the way that he loves our children. He is an incredible father. Last night for Valentine's, he made reservations for us to go to dinner at Gracie's - an elegant restaurant located in the lobby of the Hotel de Luxe in downtown Portland. It was perfect! Lilly & Grayson went with us too. Lilly wore her pink tutu, and crazy hot pink feathers in her hair. She loved how "fancy" the restaurant was. She ordered their specialty "Mac Cheese" and when she tried it, found out it was "too spicy." She told the waiter, and asked for a PB & J sandwich instead. Daddy gave her a musical card that sings "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE" and she kept pushing the button on it the entire drive home. In the morning, I knocked on Lilly's bedroom door, and waited outside the door with her Valentine present wrapped in HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY paper. She opened it up and as soon as she realized what it was, she made the cutest little excited noise, and said, "A Pillow Pet...I love it!" It was a ladybug Pillow Pet, and she named it Lulu. It was a GREAT day!
