The Only Present I Want Is Your Presence

I don't like surprise gifts, because I hate asking anyone to read my mind. Its like setting them up for failure - an expected surprise is an oxymoron - and the best they can do is meet expectations, by definition its impossible to exceed expectations. Therefore, Dan is relieved not to try to get a gift for me and hope it works. Instead he asked me what I wanted for my birthday yesterday.

I told him what I really wanted was not to have to start the day by saying goodbye to him. So, he came to Washington with me! He had absolutely nothing to do there, he brought a goofy novel, hung out at a park bench, read, peoplewatched while I was in a meeting, met me for lunch. Then I went back to my meeting and he went back to hanging out. After work, he was there, sitting in the car with the top down, to whisk me away to meet Karen and go to Jaleo for happy hour tapas.

What an unbelieveably rich full perfect day - and what an incredible I love you gift - he spent the whole day doing nothing .... except making me feel like the most special important person in his world!