The Newlywed Life: Full of Surprises

It is common knowledge among friends and family that my sweet husband is not the best at keeping secrets when it comes to special occasions. Once he buys something or plans any sort of happy surprise he typically spills the beans anywhere between 4 hours to 2 days after having developed the idea. I love him but it’s a fact as true as my blue eyes.

Well for my birthday this go around he proved me wrong and surprised me from the moment I woke up until we finally fell asleep that night. I woke up to the KitchenAid mixer of my dreams – I immediately named her Ina after The Barefoot Contessa – and a homemade card that made me a little weepy. He also pointed out that his clues made complete sense and I give him credit because he was right! We fixed a big breakfast and were lazy for a while before he whisked me away to the sweetest cafe for a late lunch and some boutique shopping.

What had he planned for the rest of the night? I wasn’t sure, but I let my best girlfriends know something was happening but he wouldn’t budge. After we both got ready and he told me to pack an overnight bag – !!! – we left for Nashville. I started to get suspicious when he was driving around in random neighborhoods surrounding West End and texting at every red light but I never expected what happened next. We walked into the restaurant and the hostess said, “Bell party of 6?” and I was like “I’m sorry what?” Taylor beamed, grabbed my hand, and next thing I knew I was enjoying the most fabulous dinner with my husband and my dearest girlfriends.

Best. surprise. ever.

I smiled and laughed so much my face hurt and the night was even better when we headed to the next location where we donned pink birthday hats (even Taylor) and ate lots of cake.  It doesn’t get much better than a night spent telling old stories and talking about how good life is with your best girlfriends and husband at a dinner they planned together for you. I was thinking it couldn’t get any better until Taylor asked if I was ready for my next surprise.

Ummm yes, but what could possibly be left?

Soon we arrived at the sweetest Bed & Breakfast with a room filled with big windows and chocolates on our pillows. We laid in bed and talked about how great the night was and he spilled how he had planned the whole thing for weeks with the help of my best friends and I fell deeper in love with my husband.

I can’t help but smile when I think about this past weekend and all the many surprises planned with love but you want to know something? The best thing about being married to Taylor isn’t necessarily in the big surprises but in the little ways he surprises me every day. By saying “I love you” mid-conversation. By helping me get the pizza dough just right. By taking out the trash because he sees it needs to be done. By excelling in grad school. By showing me grace when I’m tired or moody or hungry and not the best version of myself. By washing the dishes that wouldn’t fit into the already-full dishwasher because he knows I would appreciate it. God has blesses me in a major way and I pray I never take any of these surprises for granted.

Here’s to a life full of surprises and plenty of love. xo