Thursday, July 25, 2019

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken on July 25, 2009. This was my last birthday with Mattie. That day he worked with my in-laws on designing a special card for me. Mattie created a lighthouse birthday pop up for me, as he knew how much I love lighthouses. The lighthouse resembles Bodie Light, which is in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. A place Mattie visited several times. I am sure the first thing you see in this photo is the two of us, but do notice things all around us. Our home looked like an episode of hoarders while Mattie was ill. In fact, it remained looking like this for the entire first year after Mattie died. 


Quote of the day: I love you every day. And now I will miss you every day. ~ Mitch Albom

Peter spoiled me today with flowers, a card, jewelry, an amazing lunch, and tickets to see Carol Burnett live in Maryland tonight. 

I think those who know me well, understand how much I love sunflowers. When Mattie was ill, his care community would deliver me sunflowers whenever I was home. The sunflower became the unofficial symbol to me of Mattie's care team. The sunflower symbolizes love, support, and compassion! 

A line up of many of the cards I was lucky enough to receive. 

My parents gave me this beautiful necklace of diamonds in the shape of a star, the sun, and the moon! It is absolutely perfect and it will always remind me of this moment in time.

Peter surprised me with a second Pandora bracelet. My first bracelet, was given to me by my dear friend Margaret (Mattie's preschool teacher). That bracelet holds many of the charms that symbolize Mattie to me. So it is my Mattie memory bracelet. 

Today's bracelet captures the many places Peter and I have traveled together. It is my travel memory bracelet. I absolutely love it. At the moment: Florida, NYC, Boston, Canada, Washington, DC, North Carolina, Puerto Rico are captured on it. Of course at the center of this bracelet are butterflies! 

We went out for a delicious lunch today. This dress was a gift from my mom. She found a beauty!

I love Fiola Mare. To me it is the best restaurant in the Washington, DC area. The food is amazing! Absolutely beautifully prepared without being over done. In addition to incredible food, their service is like no other in our region. Everyone is extremely well trained and professional. Of course, I also love the view being right on the Potomac River. What is special to me besides the food, service, and ambiance, is the fact that they don't rush you! Dining there is meant to be an experience, like it is in Europe. 

My first course! Eggplant like I never tasted before. 

Peter had a burrata salad. 

Peter then had a king prawn Caesar salad. 

My second course was an heirloom tomato salad. Notice the china. Even that makes the experience special!

Peter had a bouillabaisse for his entree. 

I had an amazing piece of trout. Surrounded by artichokes, which I LOVE. Artichokes remind me of my maternal grandma, who used to cook them for me. I haven't cooked an artichoke since she died. 

Our waiter snapped a photo of us together! Though it was in the 80's, it felt extremely hot out!

Fiola Mare always treats you to a lovely dessert. 

They also give you a birthday greeting from the restaurant!

We grew up on the comedy of Carol Burnett. When I found out she was performing live on my birthday, I felt that was a sign. A sign that we should get tickets. I literally sprung that decision on Peter yesterday afternoon. He made it happen. We got the last two tickets in the theater!