Five Blissful Years

Yesterday was our 5th Anniversary, and what a beautiful experience it was.  Gary really out-did himself by planning it as a surprise for me.  I teared up several times.  Yeah, I know...I'm a cheese-ball.  Anyway, yesterday began with us leaving the house at about 10:30 for a place that Gary would not disclose to me.  I was able to fall asleep in the car on the drive, and when I woke up, we were driving through San Antonio.  Gary asked me if I would like to go see a movie, and where the closest one would be.  I said that we could just wait until we get to Fredericksburg because surely they have a movie theater there.  For some reason, going west in my mind means going to Fredericksburg (we've been there three times for bed and breakfasts, so I just kind of assumed...).  Anyway, he had this look on his face like, "Ha! You think you're so smart, don't you..."  So I was wrong...big deal.  ;)  
We pulled in to the Huebner Oaks movie theater and went to see a matinee showing of "Inception."  Very cool movie.  Will probably like to see it again once it's out on DVD.  It was very much a "mind-bending" movie kind of like "Beautiful Mind" with Russell Crowe.
Anyway, when we left, I figured it out, and this time I was not wrong - about the hotel.  Gary took me to the Omni Hotel, where we spent our first night as a married couple.  It was absolutely beautiful, and we felt like royalty.  The room was filled with rose petals, and the bed was turned down, with two bathrobes laying there.  Very sweet.  We changed clothes for dinner, and someone brought by a chilled bottle of champagne for us, as we were leaving to go to dinner (of course, we didn't drink it right then...and still haven't).
Ah, dinner...it was probably the most romantic place one could imagine in the hill country of Texas.  The Vineyards.  I would recommend it to anyone willing to make the drive.  It is located outside of San Antonio close to New Braunfels.  Nestled in the hills, and just a quaint little building, it's surrounded by, of course, vineyards.  They make some of their own wine, and have an extensive wine list and delicious food.  Our table was upstairs, and Gary had made the reservations specifically at the time of sunset.  The meal was relaxed and our waitress was sweet.  Afterward, we went walking through the vineyards, passing by other private tables located among the vines, that people made extra-special arrangements to have.  Extremely romantic, indeed.
Then this morning, we slept in late and were able to make it to the absolutely beautiful and extensive breakfast buffet.  The people were just wonderful to us, and the food was absolutely the best hotel food I've had in a very long time.  Reminded me of some of the 5-star hotel breakfasts I've had the privilege to stay in around Europe and in China.  We were so pleased with our stay there, and didn't want to leave.  But check out time came all too soon, and we were gone.  Heading back to reality in Spring.  So I'm writing this note, in order to keep the memory fresh and share it with friends.
I am married to the most wonderful man, and am so thankful for how he treats me like a precious gem.
I love you, Gary.  I always will.