Well, this is confession time….this is not a true blog, nor in chronological order as of now. This is the personal diary of a young woman making excuses so she can keep track of her memories in writing and photo formats. Freedom of expression doesn’t always mean I have time to create entries for everything currently going on, meaning sometimes I have to come back to events that happened chronologically before other posts. AKA this post will be a before and after of another post: Rupert Goes Flying Kites.So let’s get down to buisness and start from the beginning of that home vacation.
There comes a time in a young woman’s life when she has to celebrate with her first legal drink. It just so happened this was a Sunday in the early part of April of this year. Because of some spontaneous plans made with my childhood best friend in the earlier part of the week, I had a DD for the day. We went out to my favorite brunch location and I made a point to have my newly made license ready for when I ordered my first bubbly of the year…and perhaps my last. The drink started out sweet and balanced, but became more acidic as the food arrived.
Our server not only gave me a free gift card for a ‘wine tasting for two’, as well as served us three scoops of gelato. Out of the three, I could rave about the candy cap mushroom flavor which surprisingly tastes like maple syrup. By the end of the meal I was feeling like a lucky girl not just because of the unexpected presents. The bubbles had me feeling rather dizzy and tipsy, so I was very grateful to have my friend driving for us.
After brunch, we headed to the next town over and found ourselves in a pottery painting shop to remake some old memories. As children we had done this same activity and I found it fitting to celebrate my 21st with my oldest friend and celebrate like we were kids again…because who wants to grow up?
As always, my childlike mind could not make up her mind for some time. By the time I had picked my first piece my ‘DD’ was already started on her bowl. But by the end of the day I had finished my first piece (which was semi reluctantly picked) along with my choice pick, which I had to quickly and decisively paint. Sometime this week I will pick up the finished products and reveal their natures to this journal. My best friend spent the two full hours working diligently on creating a lovely yellow bowl with colorful butterflies using stencils.
By the time we had packed up and left, mother was calling to find out where we were, as per usual. We came home and soon my aunt and someone else arrived with her. To my surprise my uncle walked in the door, which was a gift in itself. Of course my aunt being the generous woman she always has been, brought a beautiful present. For all the time she spent shopping and clothes bought, it is still the little things that count. The cards she brought and the hand made ‘tag’ for the present were the best (most meaningful) part of her gift. The photo case is two sided and houses Boyfriend and my own photo.
But of course the night doesn’t stop there. Soon after my aunt and uncle left, mother said we had a dinner to go to. Surprise, surprise….not so much. As we were going the route, I started giving Dad the exact directions, which Mom had been first to call out. We ended up at the beautiful restaurant and bar which I knew to be highly praised for its french cuisine.
The night was grey and slightly chilly, keeping most of the locals away from the place. As such, we had the whole bar to ourselves and took control of the couches available. Looking over the drink menu, I chose my first ever cocktail: a lavendar lemon drop, but this was only after the best surprise of the night.
Drinking by the fireplace.
While trying to decide on a drink Mom said something the lines of ‘Oh, look’ to which I looked up and saw my boyfriend walking towards us. Instantly, I stood up and let my coat fall off my shoulders before glomping (run and hug) him and almost tearing up. Having spent the day with my best friend was a back up plan, because my boyfriend had other engagements with his family, which I thought would have kept him from me all birthday. Lucky for me, he worked magic and was there for my birthday dinner.
After being stuck in hours of traffic, having to convince a brother to leave him a car which he could get in without having to first go home, having to buy gas and almost not finding the restaurant Boyfriend definitely made magic happen. He was literally buttoning his last button on the shirt when he walked in the doors before I noticed and ran to him.
First kisses on the couch, still in shock.
Imagine all this shock and happiness (mostly shock) to the sight of him in front of me and then arms around me. It was truly the most magical surprise of any birthday ever. All day I had been trying not to miss this man and not be sad on my big day. Thoughts of wishing he would magically appear while we were at dinner. It just all came together in perfect harmony, even with all the chaos of his day and my family having to stall. So glad I didn’t tear up, but it certainly moved me to want to. After this momentous time, we had a lovely cocktail time and some lounging by the brick fireplace before dinner.
We all ordered delicious sounding things: Boyfriend (nicknamed Duck) got the duck dish, Mom had the New York steak, Dad and Brother had twice baked potato and decadent spare ribs, while I enjoyed the swordfish with a cranberry sauce and spring risotto. Yes, traditional french techniques and some an Italian side dish on my plate. But let us not forget to mention that our appetizers were confited duck fried wontons with asian dipping sauce, or the best bowl of cream sauce I’ve ever had with mussels.
Dinner was finished, but my first ever lemon drop was still 1/3 full as the drink doesn’t really compliment the meal. It was just starting to drizzle outside when we left and made it home just before the big storm of the night hit. Normally I would have disliked the rain, but Duck being there made everything else perfect that evening.
As if things couldn’t have gone better, we eventually dug into the presents I’d seen on the table that morning. My parents must have been listening well because they got me the ice cream maker I had asked about, along with two large bottles of hard ciders for Duck and myself to later enjoy in the week. But the second best surprise of the night was the last present which was brought out separately that night.If only I had pictures of this gift, before the wrapping paper was torn off…it was peacock feather wrapping around a box that must have been 2.5 ft by 1 ft tall. Never thinking the price nor need for kitchen space could be justified, I ripped through the paper to find a sleek, silver KitchenAid which I had lusted after since finishing my schooling in culinary arts.
But my parents didn’t stop listening for presents. I had mentioned wanting tiramisu for my birthday cake….oh boy did I get a cake! 
Rupert Adventures 
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