It started with a rose

Happy post-Valentine’s day!

**I’m going to be honest with you. I’m trying to make this post sound as happy and optimistic as possible, but it’s hard. Today as I was driving home from DC, I got in an accident on the highway. I complete did a 180 on a patch of ice. It was terrifying and I’m still shaking from the experience. As you’ve read before, I don’t do well with car accidents. Luckily, I’m okay, but my car has some damage. Thanks so much to my Twitter friends for your support today. And, to everyone driving out there – especially on the east coast – please be careful.**

Anyways… on to the good stuff

All week and weekend, Dan kept saying, “You have to do everything I tell you to do on Sunday.” Clearly, I had no control and was very excited for what he had planned!

Sunday morning, we woke up and Dan gave me a beautiful rose to start the day off Nothing more romantic than a single red rose, yes?

Then we had a little debate conversation back and forth. He told me that after my run, I wasn’t allowed to shower and that I had to pack up all my things.

Um… what?! No shower after a 4-mile run (which was awesome btw… after almost 3-weeks on treadmill only running, I was needing an outdoor run!)? I was going to be a smelly/sweaty mess! However, after debating back and forth, I finally listened and did what he said.

We got in the car around 3 pm and he told me to close my eyes during the car ride. Ummm… okay, fine. When I was allowed to open them, we were at a hotel to escape from the night. We went in and he told me that our first order of business was to GO ICE SKATING! YES! I thought that was a great idea (and even guessed it!) because it’s something active and romantic all at the same time. We went to an outdoor rink where I showed off all my moves Haha… well, not really although I used to have moves. Growing up, I figure skated and it was a blast. Here are some iPhone photos:

Dan

Me in no mascara and no shower Notice my backwards skating skillz…

After ice skating (which was an awesome workout for my shins!), we went back to the hotel. My next surprise? A Lush bubble bath. Oh yes, my friends. Dan drove out to Tyson’s and picked out not one, but TWO bath bombs for my surprise bath which he set up. Um… I think I died and went to girlfriend heaven. I’m glad I didn’t shower after my run!

He got blueberry and lavender. I picked blueberry for my bath and saved the lavender for a bath this week

Bath bombs are the coolest things ever! Like a 4th grade science project or something. Sooo relaxing

After my relaxing bath and catching up on the most recent Glamour magazine, I got ready for dinner. Dan planned for us to dine at our favorite sushi restaurant which, sadly, closed. It sucked – we arrived all excited and there was a foreclosure notice on the door. REALLY?! So, quickly, we decided on another sushi joint on a whim. Luckily, it was tasty! When I first had sushi, I loved it for about a month. Then I had a bad experience and despised it for a long time. I wanted to like it so badly so I weaned myself back in by only eating vegetable sushi and only recently sushi with fish.

My favorite part about sushi restaurants, besides the sushi itself, is definitely the seaweed salad!

Yum… I love it for its texture, taste, and health benefits (look at all the green goodness!). I didn’t get a picture of our sushi because we inhaled it so fast. Dan order a Mexican style sushi and the way I would describe it would be if a taco decided to dress up as sushi for Halloween, that is what it would taste like. Dan laughed at my analogy for a good 10-minutes.

Before we left, the sushi chef presented me with a Valentine’s Day box full of chocolates… how sweet?! I love when restaurants give an extra special touch.

After dinner, we attempted Cold Stone but it was taking forever. It seems that the sales people wanted to talk with each other more than serve their customers. Cold Stone FAIL.

Then we went to see Up In the Air…

When the movie ended, Dan and I kinda looked at each other like, “Huh?” It was okay which is hard for me to admit because many people have said they loved it. While I liked some parts, there was too much of the movie I didn’t like which I didn’t see as oscar worthy. I thought Anna Kendrick did an excellent job though.

Finally, we went back to the hotel where Dan had a couple more surprises He pulled out a Lush massage bar and gave me a massage! LOVE!

I am unbelievably touched and happy that Dan went out of his way for me this weekend. This was the best Valentine’s Day yet and I can’t wait for many, many more.

How was your Valentine’s Day? What did you do?

Cheers!

Julie