"As you wish......"

(A Valentine's Ode to Phill)

When Phill and I first started dating, we watched The Princess Bride about six times before we did anything terribly original for a date. That was fine with us!

But Phill is quite brilliant and creative--and romantic--when it comes to dates. And surprises. And I happen to love surprises, and I love the anticipation that goes along with a good secret gift. So Phill is good about driving me crazy with wondering before he finally presents the gift--which is always something well-thought-out and personal.

Our first official date, my 18th birthday, was definitely memorable. In the military, you are given orders (kind of an itinerary) for various training exercises or classes or moving or deploying. So he gave my dad orders for our date--complete with these phrases: "Please DO NOT let the innocent child-like charms of Rachel get these plans from you, as it might compromise the rest of the agents I have in the field. Just tell her to be ready to go by 4:00p.m., nothing further...Feel free to tell Rachel that you know the exact plans of today, then tell her nothing, as to frustrate her. (She says you're good at frustrating her, so do your best.) "

Are you smiling as hugely as I am? Well, listen to the actual Agenda: "The date will start at 4:00p.m. when I come to get Rachel. Then rules and guidelines from parents will be received. Next, 4:30, we will depart to our destination (Forsyth Park, Savannah, or alternate location stated by parents). Depending on destination, arrive at 5:45; have a little picnic dinner prepared by Phill DeVault. Not responsible for sickness from food. Also some attempted serenading (stressing attempting). Picnic will last one hour. 7:00p.m. After picnic we will walk along River Street and look at shops and take goofy pictures that will be laughed at, at a later date. This may take up to 2 and 1/2 hours, or not--maybe 45 minutes, who knows? The rest of the remaining time will be spent trying to remember where we parked, and getting home by 11:00p.m. or earlier."

I do have a picture that you can laugh at, but my scanner is being stubborn at the moment.

Anyway....my point is that I love the way Phill treats me. Most of all, I love the way he treats me each day, not just the surprises and dates here and there.

Living with Phill is romance in itself. There is romance to being taken care of, romance in a man who will do dishes and change diapers and cook dinner and tell me to sleep some more when a child wakes in the middle of the night. I think it's romantic that I can tell Phill anything, share anything with him, and expect to be valued and loved in return--every time. There is romance in laughter, romance in respect, and romance in safety.

As you wish, Phill.