The Blogfathers

The Napa Valley in February is silent of the hustle and bustle of the normal tourist season. The mustard in the air is ripe and the vines are clear of any signs of life as spring waits to arrive. At the romantic restaurant in the valley, the Valentine’s Day special of the evening was lobster in a sauce sprinkled ever so slightly with caviar. The wine was a crisp Chardonnay from the local winery. The candlelight danced around the crystal glasses as they made eye contact. Tonight would be a special night. This night had been planned for many months and it had finally arrived. He was shaking with anticipation and he felt nervous for the first time looking into her eyes. She watched as he ate and she smiled as he enjoyed his meal.

As they walked back to the rental carn holding hands, they reflected on the evening and the day of wine tasting, thinking to themselves that this was truly paradise. They couldn’t wait to get back to their room to climb into the feather bed and stare into each other’s eyes as love overcame their thoughts.

The Bed and Breakfast was tucked away in the trees and the night air was crisp with a fresh rain and the chill made for a nice evening by the fire. The perfect setting for a romantic evening on Valentine’s Day. It was time to cuddle in bed and he wanted nothing more than to hold her.

“The meal and the wine were perfect tonight” he said. “The sauce was perfect with the caviar and the wine”.

“Just a second” she said as she quickly moved to the bathroom.

He thought she must be freshening up before their evening of being entwined together in the throws of passion. He quickly reached into the coat pocket where the velvet covered box was making sure the ring was still safe and sound and within his reach. He could hear her shuffling in the next room and wondered if she was coming. She came out and gave him a stare, and quickly turned back to the bathroom as if she was escaping from the scene. He followed her to see if she was okay.

She appeared before him on her knees. He reached for her…

“Honey? Do you want me to hold your hair this time?”

“No, I’m okay, but every time I think about that meal…”

She didn’t get to finish as she reached for the ceramic bowl of the toilet again. Her morning sickness was a 24 hour sickness, that had plagued her the entire trip. This pregnancy had come after their planned trip to Napa for the vacation of their dreams. It had come after the planned romantic getaway where he planned to ask for her hand in marriage. This is not the way it was planned but a plan was a plan. As she crawled under the covers she was weeping a little and apologizing for the damper caused by her nausea.

As he popped the question, she sat upright and a small tear crept down her cheek, she smiled and gave her affirmation that she would be his wife.

“I love you” he said.

“Hold that thought…” She bolted to the bathroom once again this time with a smile as she reached for the toilet bowl.

The next morning as they joined the rest of the patrons for stuffed French Toast, she was beaming as she explained the romance to the group, “Maybe next time we come to Napa, I might get to eat nice meals and taste the wine too.”

7 years have passed and that vacation has yet to arrive, but the romance of that evening stays in my memory.  Happy Valentine’s Day my love.

That's Amore'