My Valentine's Day Gift

My Valentine's Day gift from Richie this year literally came from 8,000 miles away. It was by far the best gift I have ever received. Here's the story... Back in December I received an email forwarded from Richie that one of the guys from his Company sent him regarding his leave. It looked very official, very military and it said his leave was Mid-March. I have been planning for this leave since I received the email. You know me, I like to plan ahead and have everything in order. He has 10 days of leave and I wanted to celebrate all the Holiday's he missed with us since he's been in Iraq, our anniversary and his birthday. I was planning the meals I knew he would want, the gift's, which I already had two of them purchased and was making plan's to get the rest, and celebrate each one on a different day.

Now, here's my time line of events:

February 3: My boss passed away, our office is in shock and very upset.

February 4: Our office was visited by super nice individuals from our Regional Office to start the changes we had to make due to David's death.

February 5: Up early, left the house at 6:15 am to pick Little Bit up in Oologah, drove from there to Sapulpa to pick up Madyson. Played with the two of them all day. Was on Skype with Big Richie from 8:30 to 9:30. Told him I needed to get to bed because my tomorrow was gonna start early again and I was tired.

February 6: Up early again, had to be at the funeral home at 7:00 am to do David's hair for the family because I think it's important to make sure he looked like himself to them. Left there and went to Sapulpa to pick up Madyson. (Had a good cry for David on my way there). Richie Von came over late morning with Haylee and Little Bit and I played with the grandbabies all day. Haylee and Madyson spent the night and we went to bed around 9:30 because, Mimi was tired. Daisha forgot to leave me Bella...a big mistake. Here's my conversation with Madyson once we got to bed:

Madyson: Mimi, where's Bella

Me: Uh Oh, Well, I think mommy took her to your house.

Madyson: Let's go get Bella and come back to your house.

Me: Well, it's late honey, mommy and daddy are probably already in bed.

Madyson: (almost in tears) but I neeeeeed her.

Haylee: Mimi, let's go get Bella at Aunt Daisha's. Madyson needs her.

Mimi: Well, why don't you sleep with Pearl tonight.

Madyson: But, Bella needs me. She's my daughter.

Mimi: How 'bout this: Let's go call mommy first.

Mimi: Daisha, where's Bella?

Daisha: Uh Oh, (Which, I believe those were my first words) I think she's in my car. Is Madyson crying?

Mimi: Yep.

Madyson: Mimi, can we go get Bella.

Daisha: Let me talk to her.

Madyson: Mommy, I need Bella.

Daisha: Listen honey, mommy's tummy hurts and I need Bella to stay here with me so I will feel better. I'll bring Bella to Mimi's tomorrow, OK?

Madyson: OK, Love you, bye. (said very sadly)

Now that we have that ironed out, let's get some sleep. Mimi's tired.

February 7: Richie Von had drills, and had to go before the flight board early morning, Amy had classes, so I took care of Haylee and Little Bit. Madyson was here and Daisha soon arrived with Bella. (Thank God) Richie Von and Amy had a get together that night with all the guys and their wives that went before the flight board and they picked up the girls around 11:00 pm. Now I'm alone but ok with that because I am very tired.

February 8: Got up at 7:00 am to get ready for church, back hurts, house a mess, got a phone call early from Daisha saying she probably won't be at church today but Michael had to do something and she'll come over around 2:30 or 3:00. Richie Von called a little later and said that my Valentine's gift came to his house yesterday so they will be over at 2:30 or 3:00 to bring it to me. I thought, my back hurts, my house needs cleaning, they'll be over about the same time so I'll skip church (said a little prayer, "please forgive me Lord"), clean house and fix a dinner for the kids.

Did I mention that I am tired???

2:30 no one arrives, 3:00 still no one, 3:15 guess I'll sweep the back porch so the girls can play out there if they want, door bell rings, they're all there at the front door instead of coming in thru the garage like normal??? what's up with that???, Haylee walks thru the door saying (or at least what I thought she said), "we're not staying long Mimi" (found out later she said "I'm not saying anything to Mimi), Amy looks frustrated at her and escorts her to the back room, uh oh, she must be in trouble, Richie Von is still in his uniform because he had drills, and both Richie Von and Daisha keep questioning me about why I was going to the Rosary for David, I thought, how rude, why don't they want me to go to David's Rosary???, we're still standing in the kitchen and I told the kids to get them a plate and let's eat, Daisha and Amy tell Richie Von to go out to the car to get my Valentine's gift from their Dad, they said to turn away from the door because they don't want me to see it as he brings it in, I hear the door open and Richie Von says "OK, turn around mom, here's your gift from dad", I turn around and there stands two men in uniform, one Richie Von the other MESM (Richie). I cried, I hugged, I kissed, some more crying, I was so surprised. They've been planning this since last October. (still can't believe Richie Von kept the secret) I know he has to leave on the 19th but I will greet every one of these 10 days with a smile and thank God that I have them. Happy Valentine's Day to me. It was the best ever.

My Valentine's Day Gift

Richie Von saying, "we got you mom"!

Still can't believe it. The best surprise ever.