I love my wife very much. She is such a blessing to me, for me, and in spite of me. I’m always the first to admit my faults and shortcomings in our marriage, but she is always the last. She’s beautiful, patient, and gifted in every way that I’m not. She’s spontaneous, I’m scheduled; she’s an artist, I’m a scientist; she’s a servant, I’m a scholar; she’s a nurturer, I’m an adventurer. She writes me poetry, sings to me, and even reads Dostoevsky to me before bed. She’s even trying to be more frugal with our money, which I find incredibly attractive.

In essence, she completes me and I complete her. Ah, the mystery of marriage.

Since drawing up and following a budget isn’t as exciting for her as it is for me, I’ve decided on a different tactic to tell her I love her (and to celebrate her birthday). Guys, feel free to take notes.

Friday, Jan 28: I’m going to leave work promptly at 4:00pm and pickup some roses on the way home. Then I’m going to pack my bags with a good mix of casual and formal clothes for the weekend. Then I’m going to vacuum, cook dinner, and go pick my wife up from work in our newly cleaned car. When we walk into the kitchen I’ll hear, “you cooked dinner!” Cue hug, kiss, presentation of roses, bigger hug, huge smile. I will then inform her, for the first time mind you, that she needs to pack her bags for the weekend and to bring a dress. Cue quizzical look and curious grin. After dinner we will drive 3 hours west to Pittsburgh where we will be enjoying luxury accommodations at the Omni William Penn Hotel. Her favorite snack food will also be provided for the car trip. She won’t know where we’re going until we arrive.

Saturday, Jan 29: The first order of business will be sleeping-in, one of my wife’s favorite Saturday activities. Other than that, nothing is planned in the morning hours. We will then enjoy lunch at the hotel or a nearby restaurant. After lunch we will head back to the room where we will change into appropriate attire to attend a matinee of The Producers at the Benedum Center. The show will be followed by reservations at The Carlton, a classy restaurant and winner of the Distinguished Restaurant of North America Award. Most of you don’t know this, but in August the diamond fell out of my wife’s engagement ring. During dinner, I plan to present her with a new one and reaffirm the promises I made to her on our wedding day. Cue happy tears. The evening will be concluded at Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle, an authentic Irish pub that is sure to be filled with laughter and music.

Sunday, Jan 30: We will check-out late on Sunday morning and go to P.F. Chang’s China Bistro for lunch and church with George Howell and company. We’ve wanted to try P.F. Chang’s since we ran in their marathon and Pittsburgh happens to be home to one. George and his wife Bonnie are former members of the (Big ‘C’) Church of Christ and seem to have a lot of wisdom for someone like me, though they would deny it. I’m looking forward to this lunch. I have a feeling it will be one of the best church services I’ve been to in a while.

And that’s it. I still don’t know why this is more fun than budgeting but I guess I’ll just have to agree to disagree. But you won’t believe the deal I got on all of this!