A Day Dedicated to Love

As a 40 year old single guy I have never really cared for this holiday.  For obvious reasons.  It isn't a holiday with many worthwhile memories for me and I find the holiday to be particularly frustrating and quite lonely.  It is, perhaps, my least favorite holiday of them all.  That being said I recognize my views on the holiday aren't the norm and lots of people really enjoy this holiday.  While dining out this afternoon I noticed several couples at the restaurant enjoying the holiday.  A few had flowers, some had children with them.  It made me think a bit on the good that comes from the holiday, expressing feelings of love towards the special people in your life is never a bad thing.  Even if the card companies profit hugely off of it and flower shops double the cost of roses. 

So, in honor of this special day I had an idea pop into my head! Yes, every now and then I do have ideas pop into my head.  I usually keep those ideas to myself but this one I decided to share and see what comes of it.  It dawned on me today I don't fully remember how many (almost any) of my brothers' and sister proposals occurred or any of my cousins/aunts/uncles/grandparents/etc and this would be a great way for people to share their proposal stories!

So, I am issuing a challenge to the few, but important people, who stop by my blog.  Please let me know how you proposed (or were proposed to) to your spouse by commenting on this post about your experience be it funny or romantic or unforgettable.   I hope to hear from all of you, there must be some great stories and even if your story isn't spectacular it is yours and therefore important.

Please note, this is not an attempt by me to get ideas for anything.  When the time comes for that I will ask you in person.  :)


 

January In Chicago Means.... SNOW

When I moved to Chicago I tried to prepare myself mentally for the cold and snow again.  It has been over 10 years since I have had to spend a full winter in a truly cold climate and Chicago definitely qualifies as a cold climate!  We have had one stretch of really cold weather this year but no real snow fall.  That is until today.  It actually began last night around 8 PM and hasn't stopped since.  And it wont stop until Monday morning according to the current forecast.  Here are a few pictures I took from my car as I was heading back into work (the native Chicagoans don't know how to drive in the snow apparently so I get to work all day and all night).

 

 

 

 

Lots and lots and lots of white stuff.  It was even good for packing this afternoon, if I had a kid or two I would have been outside building snowmen with them and maybe instigating a snowball fight or two.  As is I settled for just driving in it and helping a couple people push their car out, well attempt to push it out.  Tires are crucial in snow. 

 

 

Before all of the white stuff began to fall I was invited to dinner with Suzie, Charles, and Christy!  We ate at Medici, a place with really good burgers and pizzas and shakes close to the University of Chicago.  The food was good, the company was better.  Well worth the 45 minute drive it took me just to get there!  Here we all are at the restaurant.