This summer we got away to an idyllic, but expensive, lake town. The type of place where celebrities throw on a baseball cap, and walk around with a cup of star bucks trying to feel normal for a day. It was also a sleepy town, the type of boring that keeps away the drunk college kids, but at a price that keeps away the actual kids.
We spent the day wandering book shops, and antique stores. My husband likes to take anything I linger on too long and buy it, so I'm careful only to stare at nice things. By the time we hit noon, I had an oversized hat, a beautiful anklet, a summer's worth of reading, and a cute little painting that they promised to ship straight home.
I was just asking for lunch, when my husband sprang it on me... one of those cute, spontaneous surprises that... just drive me nuts sometimes.
"We have to get to the boat," he said, grabbing me by the hand and starting our way down toward the docks.
"Boat?!" my annoyance was obvious, "We can't get on the boat," I started on the more reasonable response, "Clothes, water, food, sunscreen?" I was listing any excuse I could think of, but was out so I just repeated, "sunscreen honey" as we made out way around the winding paths
"All taken care of," he said walking us to the marina. Workers were all nodding and smiling at us as we got to the boat, 30 feet long, new, shiny... and a bunch of specs my husband could probably go on about for hours, but he never bored me with those details.
He helped me on to the boat, steadying me by my ass as I stepped over onto a seat. I could feel his strength in those moments.
"Everything's up front," he pointed towards a small door next to the steering wheel, "Get ready while I take us out."
In the bow was a big rubber bag, which itself was obviously a new gift for me, but it was filled with strawberries, and champagne, some sunscreen and of course, a bikini.
I started to get dressed as we made out way away from the docked, anchored and moored boats slowly. I knew I had time, this is the longest most boring part of any boat ride, but I'm sure he was up there, smile on his face, waving at everyone, standing proud.