19 Years and Counting!

We had a nice anniversary yesterday.  When it falls in the middle of the week we usually don't take off from work unless it's a milestone year (of course, really, what year isn't a milestone year in this day and age?) or plan much for that day.   But we always give each other gifts and try to go out to eat or have a special dinner at home.  So we exchanged some gifts and took the kids out to eat at Tumbleweed (because it's close). 

I got Thomas the barrel he wanted for one of his guns (romantic, huh?) and a $50 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops  (he's easy to buy for!).  And I surprised him with a copy of an old movie that he and I have loved and have looked for for years.  We had seen it on cable years ago and couldn't remember the name of it or who the actor and actress were who starred in it.  With a lot of searching and with the limited information we could remember we finally found out that it was LOVE LETTERS, made in 1945 and starring Joseph Cotton and Jennifer Jones.  I have been hunting for a copy on Ebay, Amazon and anywhere else I could think to look.  Every time I found a copy it was more than $30 without shipping or the bids on Ebay went up past $30.  I had just about decided that I was going to have to pay that much when two weeks ago I got an Ebay alert for a VHS copy that started at $9.99, and I actually got it for less than $20 with shipping!  I've had the kids watching the mail for me and hiding any packages we get until I see them.  It came on Saturday, so I hid it until yesterday, and I think he was more pleased with that than with anything else.  (He likes old romantic movies like that, my rough and tough, gun-toting, knife-wielding hubby!) 

He gave me a diamond pendant that I had not asked for and was not expecting (and was really surprised about because usually if he plans on getting me jewelry he has me pick it out!)  and a Detrola which I had asked for.  We've been needing a new radio/cd player for our bedroom for awhile now and I've been wanting one of those 4-in-1 deals with the cassette/radio/cd/phonograph, because we still have a lot of vinyl records and cassettes.  K-Mart has some really pretty ones in a wooden cabinet with a brushed bronze control panel, so when Thomas asked me what I wanted I showed that to him.  He also sent me roses at work!  They're usually waiting for me at home, so that was a nice surprise!  I'll take pictures before they start wilting and post them.

Whenever we celebrate our anniversary we make it a family thing and the kids get gifts too.  We started that tradition when Andrew was a baby, so now they think it's normal and that everyone does that!  We got Andrew a video game and a new CD he wanted, and we got Eler Beth a Bonzai tree (that she'd asked for --  I hope it lives!) and one of those charm bracelets (where you buy the charms separately and add them on) and four charms to get her started.  She got Thomas a knife with some deer on the handle and Andrew contributed to the gift card.  He and Eler Beth went in together and got me a gift card to Bath & Body!  Then Andrew gave Eler Beth an American Girl book that she didn't already have and she gave Andrew a collection of anime posters that he showed her on Ebay and that she had me buy online for her. 

So I think everyone had a good 19th Anniversary!!  Now next year, for the 20th, we're going to have to do something a little special, I think.  I believe a nice family vacation trip is called for!  (With maybe a little mini-vacation for just Mom and Dad on the actual anniversary date?  We haven't gone away alone in a long time!)