But for now I will discuss (read: gush) about how my no-surprises hubby thorougly surprised me.
My husband is not one for surprises. He just can't seem to keep from telling me things and he prefers if I have a hand in picking out my own gifts, so there is a definite lack of surprisings in my world. But, this last week, J decided he was going to do his best to keep a secret and planned a "secret" date. All I knew was that dinner was at 5:30 (hello, early bird special). All I had to do was be dressed (in my new DVF dress), and all he had to do was keep from telling me what we were doing (which was v. hard for him).
Even if he hadn't told me what we were doing, I had most of it figured out.
Part one: my husband gave me this lovely watch. While super excited because I really wanted one and I've been so lost without being able to tell the time, I knew it was coming as we had gone watch shopping the week before. Still, a very thoughtful and gorgeous gift. I particularly like the cable detail on the band. And I am SO HAPPY to be able to know what time it is without looking at my blackberry or phone.
David YurmanPart two: dinner at Naha. Racking my brain for places in the city we hadn't been but wanted to go, I also had this part figured out. No matter, I don't need my meals to be a surprise, just yummy and it definitely was yummy. (Oh, foie gras, how I love thee)
Part three: Twelfth Night at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. This is definitely my favorite Shakespeare play and when I heard it was playing, I told the husband we had to go. And with the clue of the very early dinner reservation, I had a feeling we were heading to the show. What I found so exciting about this performance was that there was a pool in the front of the stage that got a considerable amount of use. It was an interesting element to make the play new again. I just couldn't imagine spending most of the night being soaking wet!
Part Four: This is where the surprise part comes in. J said there was another surprise to come after the show. The show wasn't over until 11 and we're old, so I couldn't imagine what on earth we would be doing at that time of night other than going to bed. I ventured a guess at maybe getting dessert. Nope. I then guessed I was going to meet Eric Dane. Wrong again. Then he spilled it: he had booked us a room at the Peninsula. For those of you not familiar with Windy City hotels, the Peninsula-Chicago is repeatedly ranked among the top 5 hotels in the U.S. My mouth was on the floor. I couldn't believe it. "But but I have no clothes!" Wouldn't you know my husband had that covered. He had packed an overnight bag and dropped it off at the hotel that morning while I was sleeping. Total shock.
It was definitely the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in. Though I will say their late night room service menu needed some improvement (what? Need I remind you I had dinner at 5:30, I was starving by the time we checked in). What fun to be a tourist in my own city for a night!
In the morning we partook of the Peninsula buffet and I got to have foie gras for breakfast for the first time ever (definitely does not go well with juice or tea).
Then it was off to work for the next nine hours. On a Sunday. Ick. Oh well, at least we'll always have the Peninsula...
