This past weekend Todd and I went down to Tampa, FL for a mini-vacation. We were celebrating our 14th anniversary and Todd's 40th birthday.
April 1, 2010
The car ride down there was a little tense. Todd decided he wanted to drive and I was amazed. In the 15 years of being together, he has hardly ever driven anywhere, lol. Our car rides always tend to be therapy sessions. I think it is because we can't run away from each other, lol! It started out with me playing my playlist for Todd that I named "Songs in the Key of Todd". It was a compilation of every song that reminds me of him or us. It started the emotional roller coaster.
Todd is only good in the car for about 4 hours. After 6 six hours, he started to get pissy. My husband is like a toddler, lol! After the tears and screaming and eventually talking, we got everything off our chests and could regain our composure.
We arrived in Naples, FL to visit with my cousin Billy. His house was phenomenal! It was almost like a compound. Gorgeous!!! Our visit was far too short, but it was great seeing Billy, Ted and Jay. I always love seeing him, Billy keeps me cynical, lol! We met their puppies and I must say that "Puddles" was my favorite. Every time you touched her, she piddled. It was hilarious!
April 2, 2010
We woke up and had coffee with Billy and Ted. Before we got on 75, Todd wanted to stop and get breakfast at McDonald's. We pulled in to a McDonald Express. WTF is this? It is literally in the corner of a gas station. It looked as if they were sharing the microwave with the burrito guy. Needless to say, we left without ordering, LMAO!!
We finally got on the highway heading to Tampa! The drive today was much better, guess we got all the demons out, lol!
When we finally got to Tampa, we headed directly to Legends Field, well George M Steinbrenner Field. We were going to see the New York Yankees during Spring Training. Todd was so excited! He was like a 6 year old at Christmas. We walked around the stadium and were impressed.
We went to our seats, which were completely Awesome! We were on the left field wall. We had seats, kinda like bar stools and a table. We were about 10 feet from Nick Swisher.
Although, it was probably cool according to Tampa residents, It was hotter than Hades to us, lol! I put on 60 SPF twice and still got burnt.
Walking around the stadium, our future smacked us in the face. Everywhere we looked, we saw our future. Little old people complaining to each other and about everything. It was cute and scary at the same time. It was as if we looking in a crystal ball. We actually met my father's doppelganger. A Vietnam Marine who wanted nothing more but to talk to everyone and drink his beer.
Tampa is hot!!!! We watched the game and had a really great time.
We went to our hotel after the game. We were staying at the Crowne Plaza Westshore. Our reserved room wasn't ready yet, so the clerk offered us a suite at the same price. I said yes immediately, lol. The suite was pretty much the bomb. It had a separate sleeping area and a sectional leather sofa. It was all new furnishings. I fell in love with the bathroom. It was a shower enclosure made out of tile...You could have literally fit about 5 adults in the thing.
We ordered pizza and salads from a place claiming to be authentic New York style Pizza. They were pretty darn close...
Needless to say, after the excitement of the game, the heat and great food we were both asleep about 9 pm.
April 3rd
The game today was against the new Yankees. Everyone with a ticket was going to receive a replica World Series ring. You would have thought the fans were getting actual rings. I have never seen so many grown men, running up to the gate in order to get a ring. Todd was uber-excited. Once he received his, he ran to a corridor to open it up and look at it. His eyes were all a glow. We had decided earlier that we would keep one and give one to Christopher. It was so cute seeing Todd so giddy!
I woke up all nervous. I had arranged for a message to be displayed on the scoreboard for Todd's birthday. I couldn't relax. I was trying to figure out ways to keep Todd focused and in his seat. I was only told it would be on during the 5th inning. So what do you know? Todd wants to get a sausage and peppers to eat during the 4th inning. So he gets his food, and I am trying like Hell to get him back to our seats. He keeps stalling, which is infuriating me.
So just like typical Todd and Lynn fashion, we get in a fight.
He wanted to go get a napkin to wipe off his hands, I didn't want him to leave because I just knew the minute he left, it would appear. I couldn't tell him why I needed him to stand in the spot we were in because I would be giving it away. I walked away heading back to our seats, expecting him to follow. He did not...
I am sitting in our seats, alone and they play the message. I cry because I am so pissed that he might have missed it and realizing that I might have screwed the whole event up by stressing out about everything. I was so proud of myself for keeping it a secret from him (that is really hard for me to do).
(It says, "Happy 40th Birthday, Todd! Love, Lynn")
After the message, I get up and walk back to where I had left him. He was still standing in the exact spot. I was behind him and I walked up with a beer, as a peace offering. He turned around and I could see he had been crying. He said it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him. That was all I needed to hear! I was relieved that all had not been ruined.
We then went and scooped up some seats in the shade (did I mention, it was freakin hot, lol). At one point, I smelled something burning, only to realize it was me, lol!
We left after the game was over and headed back to the Hotel. We enjoyed our leftover pizza. We watched TV and enjoyed our last night of freedom from our fur-kids.
April 4th
Todd ended up driving all the way home. I had woken up in the middle of the night throwing up. Must have been the heat and sun. He was awesome on the ride back. We sang songs and laughed. This trip seemed to remind us of why we put up with each other, lol!
We got home and immediately went to bed not wanting to return to reality.
I am so happy that we were able to escape for a few days and rekindle our love and romance. Thanks to the Yankees for giving us that opportunity, lol!
Also, thank you to my wonderful husband! I hope you had a great 40th birthday and 14th anniversary weekend.
I look forward to growing old with you!
