First stop, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. William is a wonderful influence on my spiritual life, and encouraged me to make a good confession before Christmas. So that was fun (not) but really wonderful and I was very thankful for such a wonderful gift. Best part of this leg of the trip (besides absolution) was seeing the 5 dominican brothers, in their capes!! I want one so bad. Why wasn't I born into a life where I could wear a cape and not be a freak?
Stop two, we went to our favorite meal, Chipotle and William defended me from a rabbit sized man eating pigeon. The we set off to see the National Christmas Tree, which was disappointing firstly because it had colored lights instead of white (because our nation is being overtaken by yankees) and second because the stupid people are already setting up for the stupid inauguration so there was scaffolding everywhere. Ugly. But, it was pretty and kinda romantic because the sun was setting and it was chilly and there was a Christmas tree.
The view in the other direction. So purty.
Then we got cupcakes and they were delicious. There is a little jewel of a bakery hidden in Union Station and they have FANTASTIC cupcakes. William got a Black and White Cookie and I got a brownie cupcake, that was devils food, homemade chocolate icing and brownie bites on top. Heaven.
This is where it got amusing. William all day had been trying to guess what we were going to do because I had refused to tell him and simply had told him that it was a big surprise for him and he was going to love it. Here are some of my favorite guesses:
1) Did you buy me tickets to go see something by Belmont Abbey? Because I love Bill but I don't wanna pay to hear him speak.
2) Are we going to see a bunch of religious at some meet and greet?
3) Did you coordinate a party with my mom and dad to celebrate the end of the semester? HA.
William's number one fear was that we were going to see the Nutcracker. He will swear that he loves the ballet, but the last time we went 2 years ago, we were orchestra center and he fell asleep before intermission. So the entire day, he kept asking if we were going to see the ballet. Finally, I made him think that's what were doing. I wish someone could have seen the disappointment on his face. I told him that I thought he would like it because he liked it so much last time and his dad had just been to see it last week. The sport put on his brave face and was ready to suffer through it again. I only fed into this by humming classics from the ballet.
So I had no idea that the two theaters were so close, but apparently they are right across the street from each other, so I had William convinced as we walked towards it that another onslaught of dancing was coming.
But then we turned the corner for....
That was our day and we had a great time. He is such a great companion.
OH AND ONE LAST THING.
I have been saving this for a while because I wanted to show Johnny first, on his visit a few weeks ago. Great friend, harsh critic, I had him notice all the things I didn't like about it first that I said to myself whilst I was working "Johnny is going to notice that and make fun." He lived up to my expectations and complimented my work so now I can post it.
MY PRETTY ENTRANCE WAY!!
I did this one afternoon while William studied. It was long and tedious but I absolutely love it. I still need to erase some pencil marks and touch up some areas but I think its beautiful.
I have a post coming soon about forgiveness but right now I'm tired.
XOXO,
Laura
