I didn't want the day to end

I had a GREAT day yesterday. Mark made the entire day so special. I laughed, I cried, I relaxed, I had fun, I ate good food, I couldn't stop smiling.

To celebrate our 15th anniversary, he set up FIFTEEN surprises for me - I received surprises and instructions throughout the day.

It started when I woke up and found #1
(a love letter letting me know about surprises to come)
on my nightstand.

Numbers 2 and 3 were waiting for me on the kitchen table
when I went downstairs after getting ready.

#2 - He had baked me blueberry bread (one of my favorites) for breakfast.

#3 - He found an old mix tape I made him back in college when we started dating and tracked down EVERY song on it and made me a playlist of all of them! I LOVE THESE SONGS!! They are so nostalgic for me - such strong emotions are tied to them. This is the one that made me cry, right in the middle of the kitchen. Scout was concerned and the kids weren't sure what to make of me. I looked at them, hardly composed at all, and said, "The best advice I could ever give you is to marry someone who's good to you."

#4

#4 is the post he put up yesterday with that BEAUTIFUL video montage. Also very moving for me. If you missed it, click on the "#4" under the picture to see it.

I got a text from Mark a bit later telling me to check a file drawer

we have, and inside I found this beautiful Shakespearean sonnet. #5.

sushi lunch
(See "#6" on the bag?)

Mark worked that morning at the hospital. He showed up with sushi lunch for #6. He also kept his clinic schedule totally free to spend the whole rest of the day with me (he made up for that by working lots on Monday and today). Yesterday totally spoiled me.

#7 and #8 came together in a pretty wrapping:

I opened it and found 2 seasons of a new (to us) show to watch!

Mark has seen a handful of episodes and has suspected for a long time that we'd like it.
Plus, good friends that know us well have given it high praise.
And we're nerdy and it's a nerdy show.
And he got an amazing deal on them.
So, we're excited!

#9 was something just for me --

Mark scheduled a hot stone massage for me!
It was my first time trying that out. It was VERY relaxing.
While I was there, he took the kids to Chocolate World.

#10 was a really cute ecard that he sent to me

Apparently, I didn't upload the picture for #11 and #12
(which also came wrapped together in pretty packaging).
It's probably for the best.
Those were rather, um, personal. :)
We'll leave it at that.

We found the instructions for #13 in our advent calendar drawer.
It said, "Let's go eat! Happy Hour. Houlihan's."
We love that place!

The happy couple

We enjoyed delicious food and shared this dessert -- a S'mores fondue.
YUM!

I wanted to document that the kids were there with us, too, so as we left Thing 1 suggested we take these pictures and say, "Oh yeah, the kids were there, too.":

Oh yeah, the kids were there, too. :)

#14 - we got the kids to bed and watched "The Help" together.
Great book. Great movie. Loved it!

#15 was this sweet note to wrap us the day.
It was close to midnight when I got it.
I looked at Mark and teared up and said, "I don't want this day to end."
It was wonderful! He made it so special.
I am SO grateful for him
and don't one bit take for granted how lucky I am.
Happy Anniversary to us!