Birthday Surprise

Some of my favorite memories of Aaron involve flowers.

He arrived at my first dinner party with flowers in hand.

We weren't dating yet, had practically just met, but he was out to impress.

They were yellow ranunculus.

Yellow ranunculus have a special place in my heart.

The night he stood outside my bedroom window, reciting poetry and getting caught by my dad for "sneaking around", he left roses for me in the mail box.

One Valentines day he showed up outside my classroom window with a bouquet of flowers.

My students squealed with delight.

"Oooohhh, Mrs. Eskridge," they called.  "You got floooowers."

I could even hear the kids in the classroom next door yelling, "someone's giving Mrs. Eskridge flowers!"

He handed them through the window and when I kissed him my kids were practically falling on the floor.

The day I found out I was pregnant with Davy, Aaron went to the store for something and came back with pink roses and Starbucks ice cream, my favorite.

Often times when he knows I've had a bad day, he swings by Trader Joe's on the way home and picks up some Gerbera daises.  We had those in our wedding.

Or he brings home flowers because it's date night.

He's thoughtful that way.

And I love it.

My birthday was no different.

I was spending the week in Fallbrook with the kids so they could go to VBS at my Dad's church.

We go every year and every year it's during my birthday.

Thus I never get to spend my birhtday with Aaron.

So this year he surprised me.

We were sitting at the picnic tables, some of the other moms and I, chatting when my dad directed my attention to the parking lot.

And there was Aaron, walking toward us with a bouquet of red roses in his hands.

Happy Birthday to me!

I love surprises.

He asked my parents to keep the big kids for the day so he could whisk me away for a day long birthday date.  

And off we went to one of my favorite places, the north San Diego coast.

We spent a lot of time there when we were dating.  

It is full of so many good memories.

Now we go camping there a couple of times a year--adding to those good memories.

I could not have asked for a better day.

First stop, Pannikin.  The big, yellow house and one of our most favorite coffee shops.

Next, we ventured a bit farther south to Encinitas.
Love this town.

"We can do whatever you want," my honey said.
So we shopped for vintage clothes.
I found 2 shirts for less than $10 each.  Score!

We drove south again to Solana Beach and Cedros Street.
We ate lunch at one of our favorite spots, Zinc Cafe.

There were a lot of things on the menu that I couldn't eat, but I managed and lunch was still delish.

Davy was the perfect companion--not a bit of fussing.
He just rocked his faux-hawk and got lots of attention.

We window shopped along Cedros street.
We found pottery, succulents 

and bistro sets for our patio at Chic Weed.

My favorite store there, Solo, was stocked with treasures.
Beautiful books.

Vintage treasures.

And cheerful displays of brightly colored goodness.

We discovered a new antique store, The Mermaid Mercantile.
It was stuffed with treasures.

They were hiding everywhere.
I love this little guy.

And we ended the day with a long walk on the beach.
The same beaches we cruised 15 years ago
Man, time flies.
It almost makes me feel old.

Almost.
35 is off to a great start.
Thanks for the best birthday I've had in a long while, babe.
Love from,
Greta