Saturday was Andrew and I's day to celebrate happy heart day. I was stunned to be told, with no complaints, that all four children would be under someone else's care for the day and that I would be accompanying my husband to a private get-away, passports in hand!
It was a terribly rainy day but that didn't stop two giddy parents from enjoying every minute of pretending we were twenty-something newlyweds going into the big city. It was Andrew's first time into Canada! Vancouver BC is only about 35 min. from us which made it a bit unbelievable to the border questioner. But once we verified we had come via Kansas, it all became much more clear.
After driving around a bit we decided to use the parking garage beneth the Vancouver Convention Center. Since there was a boat and travel show currently in session we blended in as tourist quite nicely. And the building itself was worthy of many pictures.
As we journeyed outside we noticed a few more people gathering and curiously looking at the statute inside the square. It took only a few moments before I commented that I thought we were observing the Olympic cauldron of the Vancouver 2010 winter games. Not only was I right but apparently that very day was the one year anniversary to which in just 45 min they would be relighting the flaming edifice! Silly us, we just chose this spot because there was a Starbucks within view. So that's what we did. With coffee in hand we sang O Canada, chatted with the locals, and mingled with athletes and torch relay bearers. We couldn't have had a more romantic day if it had been months in the planning and a limitless budget. Spontaneous happen chances are far more amazing!
As the clouds parted, we took the time to meander down the walkway resembling a starboard bow. And as George would say, we did a little mooching, while the sun streamed across the north sound. Other couples passing spoke sweet nothings in French, Chinese, and English-German. Where have I transported to?
Happy Valentines Day!
