A Christmas Night Out...

December 17, 2011

When James and I were engaged I vividly remember sitting on my family room floor 

half laughing/half whining with the women in my family.

My Mom, sisters and I were commenting on how men just don't get hints.

My incredibly wise and graceful grandmother sat in the corner laughing a little 

and then said, "Let me tell you a little story about Grandpa."

I leaned in thinking she was about to share how my Grandpa "just knew."

Surely men could read minds in the olden days.

She told us of an anniversary many years ago.

Grandpa was downstairs watching basketball.

She made him and the boys dinner -

thinking he would immediately jump up and run to her romantic aide.

He did not.

She packed up her dinner and went to the beach - alone.

She sat in the car and shed a few tears.

Surely Grandpa would realize she was gone, realize it was their anniversary

and of course - come rushing in on his white horse.

He did not.

Grandma returned awhile later to find that Grandpa remained downstairs cheering on his team.

Not the story I expected to hear.

Grandma then explained that the only miserable person that night was herself.

Grandpa of course made up for his mistake later.

But had she gently told him what she had wanted on their anniversary 

she would have saved herself a night of misery.

 At the time - 

I thought she was nuts.

James needed to remember to be romantic without me reminding him.

I was putting my foot down.

Now, I look back and laugh.

Oh how right Grandma was.

Rather than yearning for James to just magically know that I wanted a night out on the town...

I just told him.

I wanted to make his company party and our last Saturday before the holiday a night to remember.

Thrilled that I communicated my desires, James jumped at the opportunity.

We started our night with appetizers at Mama D's on the Balboa Peninsula.

It is a local favorite.

Then it was off to Fashion Island to see the hustle and bustle 

and to indulge in the new Vineyard Vines store.

Then, we got all gussied up for his company party.

It was at a fancy yacht club in Irvine.

I was able to meet some of his co-workers 

and hang out with one of our favorite friends Joe.

He is an associate with James and I am fairly certain that these two are the jokesters of the firm.

We enjoyed the photo booth and some tasty dinner to boot.

Then, it was off to enjoy some Christmas lights just the two of us while listening to a little Michael Buble.

As simple as it was, it was just what I needed.

And by the end of the night -

I had totally forgotten that I placed the teeny tiny idea in his head.

A win-win for us both.