Hot Rods

The thing about late July and early August is that we punch a lot of celebrating into a few weeks. Our anniversary falls two weeks after my birthday, so I consumed a lot of good food and had a lot of nights out crammed into a small period of time. I am now having to reprogram to my regularly scheduled life.

Oddly enough, Birch really did pull out all the stops (What does that even mean? My parents used to say that) for our 16th. I had mentioned wanting to try Henry's in Acworth because we've heard so much about it, so he made reservations and I got a babysitter. As I was cleaning the bathroom (the regularly scheduled life I was talking about), a 2010 Camaro pulls into the driveway. Walter goes crazy as this is surely some drug lord coming to kill us all. When I see Birch coming down the driveway, my natural thought is, "Oh, no. Something's wrong with his car and a buddy has brought him home." I'm computing the possible cost of this when he comes in and dangles the keys at me.

"Wanna go for a drive?"

For 18 or so hours, we pretended to be 20 again. Not like we had cars like this when we were 20.



After Brittany arrived, we blasted off like Cinderella hightailing it to the ball and headed towards Henry's. A few minutes into the drive, he tells me to reach behind his seat. Nestled in the 2 inches behind his seat (not like a minivan, you know) is a gift bag with a ring box.

Some of you might know our sordid past. For the rest of you, try to imagine something sordid. Triple it. Anyhow, my diamond ring is long long gone. For our anniversary, he had bought the setting for the ring of my dreams. The diamond we won't be able to afford for... ahem...several years more. But to say it was shocking, well, that wouldn't do it justice. We frankly don't have money for "unnecessary" things of that nature, just for fixing the garage door, putting braces on the eldest, saving for a new van (oh, the glamour!),... you get the picture.

We arrived at Henry's to find that they were taping a segment for ABC's Nightline. Henry's was picked as one of the top 20 People's Choice Platelist in the country. For good reason. We had scallops, crab cakes, Louisiana Oh La La! (and Oh My MY!), and an unbelievable slice of Nirvana called Cinnamon Chocolate Pie.

After the last plate was cleared, we hobbled upstairs to listen to some local music. A few songs into it, I leaned over and said, "Hey, listen. This is great and wonderful and all, but I really just want you to ride me around in that car." So we did.

And now part of the reprogramming to my regularly scheduled life is sitting behind the wheel of the minivan. Don't get me wrong. I love that I NEED a minivan. If I actually OWNED a 2010 Camaro it would mean that I didn't have any kids (because nothing much more than a ring box fits behind the front seat), but I sure wouldn't mind having one as a spare.

And although the night was unbelievable and filled with fine food, a fine ride and a beautiful ring, the best part of it all is the fact that I get to be his wife and share his home and his kids and his life. All the rest is just cake. Or Cinnamon Chocolate Pie.