AM~Erica Kicks Off Dumb & Dumber To Weekend

So anyway...

Last night was it!!!

My hubby & I got to go take in the movie...THE. MOVIE.

It's been 20 years...but we were SO excited to be able to go a day early, even!

That's right! If you remember, I got my hubby a REALLY DUMB BIRTHDAY GIFT. And he was SO excited about it!!

Actually, he was so excited, on Tuesday when we were getting our hair cut, he was talking to our hair stylist, Megi (love her!!), while at his turn in the chair. They were talking about our boys coming in on Thursday...and he wanted to make it very clear they had to be home before 8:00!! She said they would be done WAY before then...but he was so excited, he told her about his birthday gift & that we were, in fact, going to see "Dumb and Dumber To" on preview night!!

That's right, it wasn't that I just got my hubby a date night to see the sequel to the flick from our first date, or that it was on opening weekend...but...on preview night!!

So, when Thursday came around, I needed to get in a run, of course. I hadn't run in a week, it had been very cold, but I needed to get in that run! Since it was "Dumb and Dumber To" opening weekend, and the morning of our date, I felt the need to channel some Harry & Lloyd from "Dumb and Dumber" when they got to Aspen, California:

I had recently scored some pretty spectacular furry leg warmers on Halloween clearance, so I layered up, put on some layers including my ski bunny Fair aisle-style leggings as I topped everything with a red track jacket to mimic Lloyd's ski suit...then the furry leggings were the perfect addition to appear as furry boots!!

Oh yeah...I ran thru my 'hood like this! Would anyone really doubt? I do think I entertained about 3-4 trash trucks rolling thru the 'hood as I gagged on their exhaust. Whatever...it was all perfect for the day!

Oh...and I layered my socks, too. Because...uh...COLD!! So I also had some Fair aisle-patterned socks over my Batman & Robin socks. Duh! A total dynamic duo! Much like Harry & Lloyd...and my hubby & me. DUH!

Now that my spectacularly Aspen, CA-inspired running outfit had it's outing, I needed to focus on the excitement of the coming evening...

It was cold out (remember?), so I decided to go out & find long sleeves for hubby & me to wear under the snazzy tuxedo t-shirts. Only one left that happened in the color I needed...and in my size...and only one left in the color hubby needed that was in his size! It was meant to be!!

Then...off to find the absolute topper to our movie-date-going outfit: the hats!

I had to hope Party City might have something! After finding ONE orange top hat, I was thrilled!! However, in all of their solid color choices...pastels aren't exactly part of the repertoire...so I had to try to improvise...

I found a super cheap white, plastic top hat with a fake velvety-feel to it. So I got it, found some turquoise hairspray (cuz there wasn't any light blue), and then was gonna use light blue Sharpie for the under-plastic side of the brim that would show.

Uh...for the record...that hairspray was STINKY!! Whew!! But that's how it went. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make an outfit work!

We got dinner, we got ourselves together, grabbed our hats, the sign...and off we went! The 8:00 showing (the first one) of the "Dumb and Dumber To" preview!!

We got to the theater, left our coats in the car, went to will-call to print our tickets as I carried this sign...

The girls behind the counter wanted a closer look at our sing...so I lifted it up for them to read. They gushed at how adorable that was & congratulated us and said they would worry about doing something silly & dorky like that!! LOL!! We took it as a compliment! Then...a couple guys seated close by wanted us to turn around so they could read our sign, too! They congratulated us, too, after saying how awesome this was!

Then we took our tickets to the ticket-taker-girl. She tore our ticket stubs & then wanted to read our sign...then she was SO close!

See that pic of us up there with the sign? Study it for a moment...
...did you catch it?

The ticket taker said, "That's awesome...but...shouldn't he be standing on the other side?"

*SNORT*

I told her it was part of the joke!!
Did you get it?

Well...believe it or not, she was the ONLY person since the sign was unveiled that even pointed out! When I told her it was part of the joke, she kind of laughed, then apologized for being blonde. She was, but I did tell her she's the only one who caught on to that part of the sign!

We then proceeded to the lobby & by the concession stands to see if we wanted anything. And I just stood there holding my sign. Just wanted to make sure everyone know EXACTLY why we were there!

We decided to wait a bit since we got there so early. Also, we could sense people reading our sign.

Next we killed a little time looking at posters of upcoming movies. Then we decided to make our way into the theater.

We weren't the first ones in there, but not many...so we got some amazing seats!!

Slowly, but surely (I know, I know..."Don't call me Shirley!"), people made their way in. Even though I put the sign away, people could turn the corner into the seating area, and then...*BOOM*...we were right there looking all Harry & Lloyd like. Some were entertained...

Now hubby decided he wanted something from the concessions. We were "debating" who should go get the stuff. I only wanted something to drink, but he wasn't sure totally...we finally decided he should go. And then, as if I couldn't save his seat...this happened:

Yep...the hat stayed. He didn't take the crowning glory of his outfit! *sigh* Whatever...

Eventually he got back...with a giant Coke for us to share & some M&M's...

He then proceeded to tell me about his encounter with the girl at the...uh...concession counter.
It was a counter encounter!! Bah-hahahaha...ha...ha...uh...no? OK, sorry...moving on...

Apparently, he got the the counter & the girl took his order. Then she calmly, in a monotone voice, asked him, "so, is it really you're birthday?" He was a bit thrown off & said that it was on Monday. She replied to him, "yeah. i saw the sign. happy belated birthday," then proceeded to just give him his order. He said it was so weird...and not even a birthday discount! Rude...

Then we got settled in...

...waited for the theater to get ridiculously full (some guy's team of sorts decided to come & fill the rest of the theater) and we were about to go on a long-awaited dumb trip! And we couldn't have been more thrilled!!

As I had said, were we expecting an epic cinematic plot? Nope. We were hoping it WOULDN'T be that!

My hubby heard a critic give a horrible review of it. Like, ripping it to shreds. You know what? If you enjoyed the first one, you can expect a lot of the same of the 2nd. If you saw it the first time, you'll see much of it again. Which is NOT bad!! Plus...we felt this one had more heart. Seriously! And...even though not many have seen it yet...I won't share the quotes we've already been using today. But we were entertained!!

Oh...and treat it like a Marvel movie & stay thru the credits. Trust me! Especially if you saw the first one!!

And my hat still stunk...

Now then...off to the next thing to plan. But I can't tell what it is yet...hehehe...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Gives a Really Dumb Gift

So anyway...

Today is a special day. Very special!

Today is the 44th anniversary of my soul mate's entrance to the Earth.

Yes...it's the birthday of the one who was made just for me. My hubby!

Now then, I'm always trying to surprise my hubby with a gift for each of these holidays (i.e., birthday, Christmas, anniversary)...but something usually seems to get screwed up. I can probably count on 1 hand, even with fingers left over, how many times I've actually surprised him. But do still try.

My sons wanted to get their dad a KC Royals postseason t-shirt. I screwed some of that up. I'm pretty slick like that.
(What...me text my son's opinion on a shirt in a group text? What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?)

Never fear...we did find a different shirt, and it was on point with what my hubby was kind of looking for. WHEW!! Glad it ended up working out!!

But I was trying to figure out what I was going to do. It was tricky...but there was an event coming up just a few days after my hubby's birthday that I was dead-set on getting us a part of!

So, I began planning...
First, I needed to see if I could work timing...
Then, I needed to see about getting us dressed appropriately...
Next, I had to purchase tickets to the event...
After that, I had to figure out how to make a crazy-big deal out of it...
Finally, I had to figure out how to package it up for presentation...

And then it came time! I couldn't wait!!

I presented my hubby with this:

Yep! What sweet, sappy, special gift would a loving wife give her hubby on his birthday? Why a 'Dumb and Dumber To' date! If you remember, I was hoping to BE A PART OF THE MOVIE since we spent part of our 1st date seeing 'Dumb and Dumber'. But since we couldn't get to be a PART of the movie...we would still be seeing it on opening weekend. Of course!

Heck...for 2 years in a row, we have taken our pic in a special spot in Breckenridge to COMMEMORATE OUR FIRST DATE!

My hubby & I channeling Harry & Lloyd's tux colors as we stand in the filming spot
for a second year in a row. Also, my socks are channeling Batman & Robin.

And you know what? My hubby was SO excited about the gift of our upcoming date!!

Yeah...we are wearing the shirts AND taking the sign! BOOM!

He'll be channeling Lloyd Christmas (fitting with his dark hair & Lloyd's last name being "Christmas"), and I'll be channeling..uh...everyone who's left bearing the color of Ellen [DeGeneres].

OK...are we expecting it to be a good movie. Not really...it's not going to be a deep & intellectual epic cinematic piece of art...but...it is perfect for our relationship. And that's what makes it all worth it!

Maybe the best dumb gift I could probably give...let's see how the date goes with MY PRINCE CHARMING this weekend!

Oh...and I did surprise him! Uh...I think...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Goes Retro for Date Day

So anyway...

This week came to the delight of many parents & to the disappointment of most school-aged kiddos in most of the U.S.

This week marked the start of a brand new school year!!

*LOUD APPLAUSE*

*GLITTER CONFETTI CANNON*

As we are trying to settle back in the "regularly scheduled programming", this was also getting my hubby & I back on track to getting our Fridays back. While the kiddos are at school, my hubby (who has most Fridays off) and I use Fridays to keep kindling our marriage that usually included our weekly grocery shopping. Oh, the life of PRINCE CHARMING & HIS PRINCESS!

          Have you ever tried to do your grocery shopping with the kiddos? It's stressful & takes at least double the time. 
     Anyhoo...

Right now I'm in the midst of possibly getting the chance to dress up hardcore vintage/retro & maybe be an over-the-top-type character! Exciting, amm-i-rite?

          What? Why are you not acting shocked by this? *shrugs*

     Anyhoo...

I've been trying to pull the look a little more often to try it out...you know..."just in case". So I did it yesterday for hubby's & my 1st date day in the new school year.

So...my outfit was pretty close to this. Only with slightly different headwear,

 jewelry,

& footwear.

That whole sheer socks with pumps thing. It's weird, but I'm figuring it out...

Put it all together & then you get the is the gist.

My hubby looked a bit more casual...so he changed to a button up shirt to try to appear comparable. *snort*

While we were out grocery shopping, a little old man flagged me down to ask for some help getting some milk off the top shelf for him. He was probably in his 80's & was housing his oxygen tank in his grocery cart, so I was happy to be helpful to get his half gallon of skim milk for him. He was so funny telling me about how his wife, of 40 years, would tell him he was the most trying person she knew. He was a funny little man. And I carried on with the shopping...

Then, as I headed down the cereal aisle, I was flagged down by another little old man, probably in his 80's. Here was the conversation:

*~*~*

"Pardon me..."

"Yes?" 
*right here, I can't believe another little old man has flagged me down*

*he removes his baseball cap & places it to his heart*
"You are mighty charming today in your getup: your hair & lovely dress, with your socks & shoes. Just lovely."

"Why thank you so much, sir!"

"Oh no, my dear. Thank you."


           Awwwwwww...!!

*~*~*

When my hubby & I went to IHOP for breakfast, our favorite manager made sure that she sat us. She had on an amazing Chiefs shirt! We always compliment her on how she looks. We watched her, kind of from afar, for quite some time while she was losing weight & making herself over. Finally, when we connected with her, she knew who we were & we confessed to us watching her making herself over. So we do make sure to compliment her often when we go in..which is obviously often enough that she figured out who were are. So as I commented about how much I loved her shirt (since she was obviously wearing it from the first home game of the preseason), she gushed over my retro-inspired outfit...in which did include red for the Chiefs game.

As we sat there, I noticed a couple of little old ladies sitting together in a booth. They were so adorable! After a while I began to notice them looking around the restaurant & people watching, much of what I enjoy doing, and I could read the lips of one of the little dears, as I could feel their eyes fixed upon our booth:

"I really love her hair. It's so pretty."

As I have been on Pinterest lately, I have seen several (including myself) posting pictures of 50's housewives & dresses. I do see a lot of taglines to them with the laments along the lines of, "If only we still dressed like this."

Why not begin this revolution? I have seen some begin to. I've done a little & don't mind picking it up more.

The older generation definitely laments the Pinterest sentiments, too. It appeared glamorous & simple all at the same time.

My hubby loves the look, too. He likes that traditional look. It's modest with sex-appeal. Because it can happen! You can look great without EVERYTHING hanging out, yo!

So my hubby was just fine with my look. And would have no issue with me sporting it nearly everyday! hehe

But we know that if this were to happen when I head out with my hubby...it might look like this:

Modern-day Lucy & Ricky...amm-i-rite?

Oh yeah...looking forward to our Fridays kicking back up!

By the way...my hubby did say that if he really did speak Spanish (more specifically, the Cuban dialect), then we really would be like Lucy & Ricky! hehe

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Has an Odd Romantic Moment

 So anyway...

Recently, my family went on vacation to Colorado. I have been teetering back-&-forth as to whether or not to share some of our adventures here like I did when WE WENT TO SEATTLE. So it might still happen...but I had to share a particular moment!

OK...just take note that my hubby & I found it very romantic for us...but there will be several of you shaking your heads, wondering what's wrong with us, be confused, or just laugh in amusement. Trust me: we understand all of these reactions. But it was great for us & that's all that matters! Each to their own, amm-i-rite? (Keep in mind the REDDIT PROPOSAL that worked for that couple...it's not for everyone, but it was great for them. OK?)

As we were planning our trip to Colorado, we built it around some amazing lodging that we found in Keystone. So that's the route we went in the family vacay planning. And in the planning stages, we realized we were fairly close to Breckenridge...which we've heard so much about!

I've been to Colorado 3 other times in my life. Breckenridge was not part of any of those trips, so I was stoked to check it out.

During this time, I was taking part in a summer photography challenge from my friend, David, thru his photography business HIPSTABEAR PHOTOGRAPHY. It was almost like a scavenger hunt to try to get great shots of any or as many of the 100 possible topics given. Since we were getting ready to travel, I wanted to plan ahead to see if I could try to get any of these while in Colorado.
One of the shots being asked for was a building location where a movie had been filmed. So I started doing some research as to movies that were possibly filmed in Colorado to see if I could pin down a location or two. And guess what! GUESS WHAT-GUESS WHAT-GUESS WHAT!!! I could not have been more ridiculously excited than to come across a particular movie that had apparently been filmed in Breckenridge!!

Folks, Breckenridge had been filmed as Fake Aspen. And in Fake Aspen is where a few shots of an important movie in hubby's & my relationship happened to be filmed. But I had to pinpoint the spot! And it took ridiculous study of movie stills to find the right spot. But we found it! And it was one of the most exciting moments for me in all of our Colorado trip!!

Do you recognize it? It's where Harry & Lloyd went to Aspen!

Wait...did you ask who Harry & Lloyd are? Let me refresh your brains for a moment:

Yes!! It's from the movie, "Dumb & Dumber"!

"...He must work out..."

Wait...are you scratching your heads? Shaking them?? Again, allow me to refresh your memory...or introduce you as to why this movie is considered so romantic to us. It's a part of our MODERN DAY FAIRY TALE.

So we had a full-circle moment that meant a lot to us. And in a beautiful area, I might add...
And when we go back (yes...I said 'WHEN'), we may very well stay in the very romantic & beautiful Fake Aspen!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Gets All Gussied Up

So anyway...

If you haven't noticed yet, but I've kept up on my blogging as of lately! It's only taken me 9 months to get in my second hundred blog posts...and only 5 years for my first hundred. Yeah...I'd say it's become quite a habit.

And much like MY 100th BLOG POST, I will make this one a happy one, too! As a matter of fact, I'm getting all gussied up for this one...





*ahem* Did you catch it?

~ This is Blog Post # 200!!!! ~

*glitter & confetti cannon*

Even though hubby & I really FEEL ODD ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY, we did have a full weekend of date nights! It started out with CELEBRATING OUR ENGAGEMENT ANNIVERSARY. It's always good to have a romantic time to keep the relationship going! Amm-i-rite?

Well, we got invited to quite a fundraising gala by a really awesome & fun couple at church! (Yes, people...they do exist...and we know several, thank you very much!) It was to raise funds for a local university. And, for those familiar with the KC area & downtown, it was held at the Mulbach Tower!
Fan-C! Amm-i-rite?

Black "vintage" (but not actually) thrifted Isaac Mizrahi dress, my PIECE-OF-ART SHOES,
green accent accessories, decorative hosiery & a cocktail ring to match my shoes...
Oh...and a fantabulous metallic clutch

Then my hubby & I took in something we had never done before...
Valet Parking!
That was kind of crazy cool...plus, some random-esque dude (I take it he worked with the valet...but I can't be sure...but we'll pretend he did) totally opened my door, and then helped me out of the car & up onto the curb! He totally carried me! No he didn't, but he did take my hand & helped me while my hubby handed over the car to the guy in an over-the-top hotel bell boy type uniform!

And as we got in there, the school pulled out ALL the stops: the choir sang al la GLEE-style & their Catholic dance team danced to a super sped up version of "Pour Some Sugar on Me." (yep...you read that right) Plus there was an auction. The silent auction happened first, and then the hardcore auctioneering showed up later...

But this is what we saw when we first found our table:

There was a fancy-schmancy salad plate at each place that had bell peppers & pecans set in a red cabbage leaf bowl! And the bowl was a REAL leaf, y'all!! There were a bunch of forks & a couple of knives...and 1 spoon. Good thing I was up on my fancy-schmancy fine-dining knowledge to know what they were all for! Whew-wee!

The salad was superly delicious! Bowl & all! (Ok, my hubby ate my pecans, but whatevs.) We had complimentary antioxidant-fortified Jesus water, coffee, a surf & turf meal that was oh-so-tasty, bread...and a couple of ab~fab desserts! Oh, and actual water, too.

We were pleased with the folks at our table. We already knew the fun couple...DUH! There was also another guy invited that we knew & SO happy was there! Then there were some other folks about our age that were at the table, too. One of the couples looked familiar, but it was the 1st time we got to talk to them. 

Our table was so dressed up, so much fun...and we didn't bid on a single thing. *shrugs* Oops.

But hubby & I got to take in yet another great date night! And looking good doing it!

Yep...totally used an elevator door to get a reflection of my outfit, metallic clutch & black wrap...
Oh...and apparently a creepy guy checking it out. Umm...ew!

Maybe he was just checking out my backward necklaces...right? Amm-i-rite? Geez...

Hubby & I stealing an elevator reflection moment...cuz..."Gussied Up"! DUH!

Hubby & I looking good & enjoying our date night #2 on our Engagement Anniversary Weekend!

We got to take in a moment of dancing to a great band for the after party, plus a "dessert bar" (tarts...that were delicious & adorable) plus a coffee bar. Uh...yeah we were taking that in!

There was also an open cash bar that we did not do...or the photo booth. Bummer...but we have these things at home called "kids"...plus hubby felt he needed to preach in the morning & be coherent. Whatever! hehe

Then we had the valet get the car...and we got to stand under a bunch of heating lamps. Aw-yeah! Then my hubby was handed back the car, and a random-esque dude picked me up & placed me in my seat...no he didn't, but he did take my hand & helped me off the curb & waited til I was all situated on the passenger side of the car...

Hubby said that he'll take in valet parking from now on if he can! Can you say *SPOILED*??

This brought our whirlwind weekend of dates to a close. We celebrated right nice, don'cha think?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Remembers the Princess at the Ball

So anyway...

If you've kept up...I'm sure you know that I HAVE BEEN PRETTY SICK. That also means I haven't been able to do a whole lot in the last couple of weeks. To the point that just being lazy while well feels more productive than this. It's frustrating. But I'm getting better...

Besides WORKING ON STAYING WELL, I have been blessed to have backup & reinforcement to help me out...

Even though I am not one to put mushy-gushy things out there...I am going to about my hubby. He has been amazing & patient thru this whole thing. He works really hard to keep up his calling...nearly thanklessly...and then coming home & having to deal with home stuff that I just can't get to.

If you remember, and you should by now, I AM A DISNEY PRINCESS. Amm-i-rite? And my hubby is truly my Prince Charming.

Here I've already compared myself to SNOW WHITE/PRINCESS LEIA, and then to PRINCESS MIA...then I came across this:

Yes, it's that major moment in Cinderella's life: THE MOMENT she meets Prince Charming. And it got me thinking about meeting my hubby...

So...I present to you our modern day fairy tale!

*ahem*

********************

Once upon a time...it was incredibly close to Christmas when a couple of people I grew up with had decided to get married. It was a Friday night. I had just gotten off of work & had a busy evening ahead. After the wedding, I was also supposed to go to a friend's house to exchange gifts.

I was also single...been out of a not-so-good relationship that lasted WAY too long! Had been swimming in the dating pool...and not looking for any long-term anything, especially after what I'd been thru.

I met up with my mom at the wedding, which was happening at our church. It was a large wedding in my hometown, and I knew pretty much everyone there. However, I was seated by a guy that looked VERY familiar, but couldn't quite put my finger on it...

As I was seated next to my mom in the church pew, and the wedding got started, I began to realize that I knew the entire wedding party, except for one. Like I said, the groomsman that sat me looked familiar, so I had to have at least seen him somewhere before...but it was the best man that I didn't even recognize. So weird.

My mom & I sat there during the wedding discussing as to how I might know the groomsman who sat me. She asked me if he was a customer where I worked. I was a bank receptionist at the time, and I felt like I had seen this guy there, but didn't remember him being a customer. So I was baffled.

But I was quite focused on that best man...you know...the mystery guy - the one I did NOT know at all. Cuz he was really quite nice looking, I must say...

Now then...much like Cinderella, I really had kind of a "curfew" since I had a place to be...so having an evening wedding kind of knocked out the chance of going to the reception. Bummer...

When the wedding was over, and we were headed out of the sanctuary, the familiar groomsman, the mystery best man & a blonde in between them were sitting in the back pew. (no...this is not the beginning of a joke) All of a sudden, the familiar groomsman pointed at me & yelled, "HEY! You're the bank lady!" I was startled, and also realized I really did know this dude from my workplace. When I confirmed his accusation, he told me he comes in every other week to get our rugs. OH!!! That's why he looked familiar! He just looked very different in a tux. Then the mystery best man looked confuzzled as he asked the groomsman, "You mean, you know her?" And then out the sanctuary we went with the flow of the crowd...

As I prepared to leave, my mom decided to twist my arm a bit & convinced me that I should go the reception for just a little while...you know...maybe to see who the blonde is with. Because, "...you never know..."
Hmmm...not a bad idea. And who IS the blonde with??

Plus, I'm sure my friend wouldn't mind if I got there a little later than planned. Keep in mind...this was before the whole everyone-has-a-cellphone kick. So it's not like I could dial her up real quick...or send a text to tell her the situation. So...I would just have to make her wait. Simmer down! I was only 20...I didn't know better. OK?

Well...I got myself to the reception hall. I chatted with some folks I knew, mingled a little more...and just waited...and waited...and waited...and. . . . waited . . .
Wow these pictures were taking a long time! At least in my mind. And I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only single lady there to try to get some face time with part of the wedding party...who was hopefully single.

(Did that just sound like an hipster Bachelor episode? Hmmm...Prince Charming is the hipster Bachelor. Think on that one. The prince trying to find a mate from a large group of preselected women...you know...before it was cool.)

Finally the wedding party was being introduced coming into the building! So, like an idiot...I sat positioned at the end of a table to face the doorway...with the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face. Cuz...who wouldn't want that? Amm-i-rite?

Yeah...kind of what I looked like. Really...what guy would not want to get to know this right here? C'mon!
*face palm*

So, I waited for the Familiar Groomsman & Mystery Best Man to walk thru the door. As it turned out...they entered...together...with The Blonde right in between them...hanging on to each of their elbows. Are you kidding me??? *sigh*

As the night continued, The Blonde stayed firmly planted between the 2 guys. It was a bit frustrating...especially when The Blonde would kiss one on their cheek & then turn to repeat the same thing with the other. I was about to give up...

Someone did point out that we (my mom & I) should go look at the cake since it was SO amazing. Whatever. Frustrating night...I'll just go stare at cake. Well, we got over to look at it...and this is kind of what we saw...just slightly less elaborate:

Yeah! It was really awesome looking...cuz it was all Christmas time, so it looked like it snowed all over it. Ooooh! Ahhhhh! Then, as we stood there gazing upon this goodness, the announcement came that it was time to cut the cake. Well, well, well...that was timing. I could feel the crowd of people close in behind me, so there was no moving out of the way. At least I had a good spot to watch bride & groom.

As the newly married couple cut the cake, a voice right behind me said, "So, any bets on who shoves cake into the other's face?" I thought it was a weird thing to say...cuz it wasn't a familiar voice, so there's no way they could've been talking to me...but it was awful close. So, I turned around...

I think my eyes popped out of my head & my jaw may have hit the floor when I realized I was being spoken to...by this unfamiliar voice...of the Mystery Best Man! I was doing cartwheels in my head, but I could hardly move or talk at that moment. I could see my mom backed up in the distance...her eyes were as big as mine!

From that moment on, he had me by the hand. The only time we were actually separated was when it was only the wedding party on the dance floor to dance. But as soon as that was over, The Best Man was back with me...and we danced almost the rest of the time. *swoon* It was like Cinderella dancing with the prince at the ball...

But I had to go...remember? The Best Man had asked if I would continue the evening with him at a movie or something. I had to decline...and had to run off. It was almost a Cinderella moment of the magic wearing off at a certain time...but I left my number instead of a shoe. He did escort me to my car & kissed me on the cheek.

And off I went to my friend's house. I was only 3 hours late. Oops...but I told her all about this Best Man & how the evening went. I, being such a girl, had imagined if I'd married him...as my friend was just smiling & nodding at me.

I do believe, to this very day, it was love at first sight. Seriously.

Oh...and The Blonde was with The Groomsman. They [were] married.

On Christmas (only 2 days later), I got a call from The Best Man. Happy Christmas to me! And? AND? We set up getting together the following night.

So, on a Monday night, December 26th, The Best Man came to pick me up, took my mom to another room to tell her where he would be taking me & then asked if I was ready. My mom just kept repeating, "Oh my goodness...oh my word...oh my word...oh my goodness..." Uh, yeah...what would ever be alarming about that? My heart pounded harder as he escorted me outside opened my door on the passenger side of his truck & had a rose waiting for me in my seat. And off we went...

The carriage (read 'truck') took us to a really nice Italian restaurant. It was a place in Johnson County called "Martini's". Anyone remember that place? We got to talk & really get to know each other there.  I even almost spilled water all over my date...and he had such quick reflexes, he actually stopped my glass from tipping over. WOW! Just...wow.

Then...we were off again...we drove by an airfield, & then realized we were pulling into the little airport...

When we pulled in, The Best Man parked & came to open my door & help me out. We walked over to where a plane was waiting for us...so we could get a view of the famous Plaza Lights from the sky!

Yep...in a plane like this one over the lights of the Plaza. *swoon* (Que up the song "A Whole New World")

We flew over the entire KC area. We even saw the Longview lights, but from the sky...I could even see my house from there!! Amazing & breathtaking! Jelly? Oh, you should be!

When we landed...it was back to the carriage. We decided it's not really a date unless we see a movie. Amm-i-rite? So...off to the movie theater we went...

Then we decided to see a movie...and we picked the most romantic movie that was showing at the time, obviously! So we kept the amazing magic romance momentum & feel of the evening going by seeing...

That's right. We went and saw "Dumb & Dumber" in the theater. Thank you...thank you very much.

After the hilarious gross out humor...that we BOTH laughed at...my prince took me back home. He escorted me to the door for one last goodnight before he had to ride off. I hated for the date to be over. But we both had to work the next day, so it was sadly inevitable.

Probably the best 1st date EVER...especially after how we met! OK, OK...it WAS the best 1st date ever! I love telling people about it.

When I got into work the next day, a co-worker & former classmate of mine that went to the wedding, too, came to my desk, slammed her hands on my desk & proclaimed, "I. HATE. YOU." Well, that was a dramatic greeting...but I cordially responded with, "Well, good morning!"

Come to find out, she is also single & was sat by The Best Man...and just knew that he wanted her. So I asked her, "Did you go to the reception?" She did not...and she heard that I got to spend a lot of time with The Best Man. I didn't have the heart to tell her about my amazing date...but I did inform her that I was at the reception...hehe

The Best Man & I spent every evening together the rest of the week...he even invited me over to cook for me! *swoon*

Then...it was more & more time together. There was hardly a day that went by when we didn't see each other...

You know what? We were just a thing. It just was. Eventually...just over a year later, on Valentine's Day, The Best Man asked me to marry him. So, coming up on 17 years ago...I said yes to my hubby.

Young couple...modern day Cinderella & Prince Charming

On my wedding day...The Blonde...who [was] the wife of my hubby's best friend...told my hubby I looked like Cinderella.

And we are still happily together to this day.

We even relived the first date just over a year ago. However...none of the things we went to exist anymore:

~ The restaurant is no longer there...it became something else that didn't do well. It closed & became a TGIFriday's. We had a couple of dinners at TGIFriday's just because of the memory of the location. But, we certainly could not relive our first date there.

~ The little airport no longer gave the plane rides.

~ The movie theater became a gym. So we were not going to be able to watch a movie there again, either.

Once all of these things shut down, we just figured our 1st date was stand-alone. It could not be repeated. But we could do our best...

It was a Monday, December 26th, 17 years later...we went to a really nice Italian place that we heard about, which happened to be close to us:

Cafe Verona on Independence Square. It's amazing!

From there, we headed to the Plaza. Since we couldn't fly over it, we thought we could enjoy it from a horse drawn carriage. However, there weren't any available for a little while...but...for $10 more, we could be whisked away in the lighted princess carriage right then & there...so we did:

Even though it was difficult to see the lights, something else happened...
Little girls in restaurant windows & with their parents along the sidewalks would light up as they saw a princess riding by. They would wave so big! It was so much fun to wave back to them. What a fun & beautiful moment.

And, since we do have children...we needed to get back home. We did make sure to get "Dumb & Dumber" so we could finish the night the right way...and introduce the kids to our beloved romantic movie.

** A follow up to Dumb & Dumber HERE

I would like to say, our first date, as well as the relived date, pretty much describes our relationship & marriage. Seriously. All the romance with all the stupid & gross humor. Yeah...it's perfectly like that.

And here we are...after meeting over 18 years ago...

The fairy tale continues...

...living the ever after...happily.

********************

And, be jelly...my Prince Charming cooks, cleans, works hard, and totally takes care of me. I am a blessed girl. And I knew years ago that I totally found my soul mate. And I had someone point out that he probably treats me like a queen. That, folks, he does.

Is it all sunshine & rainbows everyday, riding on a pegasus quadracorn on streets of glitter & gold? No. There are ups & downs, highs & lows...and we took these vows to get thru them together...forever. This wedded bliss has lasted longer than most already. And, in this day & age...that is a real life, modern day fairy tale at it's finest.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

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