To My Valentine - Sunset

Last year, Valentine's weekend synced up with President's Day so Gail had a couple of days off.  We decided to go someplace warm, and visit a few National Parks, so we flew into Albuquerque and spent a long weekend.

We arrived mid-afternoon and hadn't planned much for that day.  On the way to the hotel, we noticed an advertisement for the Sandia Peak tramway.  Having nothing else planned, we decided to spend Valentine's Eve watching the sunset from the top of the Sandia Mountains.

What we really didn't know is that at the top of the tramway is a ski area, which still had snow.  We only brought light jackets because we really didn't expect to see much snow this trip.  So, cold and shivering, we wandered around the top of the mountain until the sunset.  We had a much better weather than in Hawaii and got some really bad quality photos with our iPhones.

Warm or cold, I will go just about anywhere to be with my lovely bride.

To My Valentine - Sunrise

In 2003, I rescued the love of my life from raising the kids and escaped to Hawaii for a week.  I planned it so that we would be on Maui on Valentine's Day.

One of the "bucket list" items people talk about is sunrise over Haleakala, the dormant volcano on Maui.  We figured going on Valentine's Day would make it even more special.

Sunrise in February is about 7am, and the road to the top is about a 90 minute drive.  It's so popular now that they are taking reservations.  We woke up at about 4am to start the drive up the steep, windy road in the dark.  We were not alone, there were many others making the trek as well.  We were all hoping that we could get above the weather and see the sun above the clouds. 

By the time we got to the top, it was cold (over 10,000 feet from sea level), and raining.  We put on our rain gear and took a picture to the east at sunrise.  (Notice the little orange stripe through the raindrops on the lens.)  We also noticed a group of bicyclists strapping on rain gear and getting ready for the ride down the mountain.  (Apparently, that's a thing too!)

On the way down, we stopped and grabbed a bite for breakfast and headed back to the resort for a morning nap.

Among my favorite things in life are the days I get to spend with my lovely wife.  We have spent many Valentine's Days together.  Some with flowers and cards, others on trips, still others with the family.  Looking forward to the Heart-shaped Pizza for supper.

I Love You, Gail. 

The Love of My Life

On a hot, muggy day in June of 1984, I committed my life to this wonderful woman.  We met in college in the marching band but didn't start dating until senior year.  After we graduated, I moved to St. Louis, Missouri and she moved to Arcata, California, and we started a 2 year long-distance relationship. 

Back in those days, that was not as easy as it is today.  We wrote letters to each other and only were able to talk to each other once per week for an hour or so.  Long distance bills averaged about $100 per month, so talking more often was not feasible. 

I proposed to her on Christmas Eve, 1983, and I have to admit it was the best thing I've done in my life.  I loved this woman back then, and I continue to love her today.  I can't imagine what my life would have turned into if I didn't marry her. 

Thank you, Gail, for saying yes.