My babes asked me a couple months ago if I would kindly request two days off of work in December because he had a surprise planned. I requested those days and spent weeks wondering what adventure we were going to go on. I thought it might be a stay up in Park City — where we could snuggle by a fireplace or something…well…it was a little farther away than Park City….

He told me to return home from book club at 9:30 pm and to pack a bag with warm clothes and shoes to wear in the snow. When I got home, my friend Andrea knocked on my door and informed me that she was my chauffeur. She drove me to the SLC airport, and there, waiting in the dropoff lane of terminal 2, was my love with a ticket in hand to JFK.

We took the redeye to my favorite city, during my favorite time of year to visit. On the flight, a few more surprises came out — that we had dinner plans with old coworkers/friends and a breakfast with Alexander. I was overwhelmed.

We arrived early, got breakfast at the skyclub, and dropped off our bags at our hotel before venturing down to the Financial District. Took Brent to the 9/11 memorial:

He decided to blue steel it and I decided that I can’t look him straight on ’cause he’s too handsome:

We were sleepy from our redeye and even though it was only 9 am Utah time, we popped over to Little Italy to get some pizza. Luckily after lunch, our hotel room was ready — it was nap o’clock.

We snoozed for a few hours before getting ready to meet up with a few coworkers for dinner at one of my favorite spots. The fact that he not only brought me all the way to New York, but also reached out to all my friends to set up time for me to see them…I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have someone like him in my life. It was a fun reunion, indeed! Missed Mollly and Suze lots tho. A picture with my love on my favorite holiday-dressed street. Masha is the best tourist. She visits the tree with me every time I come to visit (which this is the third holiday-themed trip I’ve made since I moved home in 2014.)

We went to bed early and barely made it to the amazing breakfast buffet before they closed. We didn’t kill ourselves to get up early and wander the city but instead snuggled and watched reruns of How I Met Your Mother on tv. I am SO GRATEFUL (seriously scream-yelling) to have this bearded babe in my life. I honestly don’t know what I did to deserve him.

Thanks for taking me to my favorite city, to see people I greatly love and miss. AND THE TREE. Can’t wait for our many adventures ahead, my love.