valentine's

valentine's day has always been a celebration for my family.

but not because of cupid.
valentine's day means its my daddy's birthday.

and a happy valentine's birthday it was.

we took my mom and dad to dinner at takashi - a popular little sushi place downtown. it was fun to spend time with my parents as married couples. with eight kids in the family, there's not a lot of 'alone time' - there's always someone else around. (not that i mind... branson and i both love spending time with family.) it was just nice to go to dinner as four adults - two married couples - to celebrate a special day.
the food was delicious and the atmosphere was delightful.

after dinner, we mozied back to my parents house for cake and icecream. and pie.
have i mentioned that i love pie?
and after the family festivities concluded,
brans and i went home.


did i mention he bought me roses?branson sent me roses at work on friday.
12 beautiful red roses.
and chocolate.
and a sweet little love note.

i was truly surprised.
did i mention that i love branson?

he gets sweeter to me everyday.

and for our first valentine's morning together,
we made an incredible waffle breakfast.

in case you were wondering,
i've decided breakfast with your spouse
is significantly
under-rated.

we had a lovely day.
appropriately so.

and so, in the spirit of the day of love...

love, shan