Yes, I know we're not married yet and already the dates have sorta disappeared. Not entirely, i've just managed to turn them into something productive so we don't cut in to our precious "wedding planning" time. Now, Kiel and my dates consist of registering at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, picking out wedding bands (this is a future date, prob. next week), going to subway after getting our marriage liscense oh and Kiel's favorite, painting my room before I moved out of my, now, old apartment (after 2 hours he
begged for us to go). Mind you these are all on his days off since we don't see each other otherwise. Dont get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I actually enjoy all of these things and no matter
what we are doing we are always laughing!
Here is a list of my top 5 favorite dates with Kiel, when things were a little less productive and a little more romantic:
5. Location: Beverly Hills and Santa Monica
Activity: Getting pizza at CPK's. Driving in the ritzy neighborhoods and checking out the huge mansions, we probably saw a few celebrity homes but I don't know whose. Then we stopped at Beverly Hills Park to take a stroll around the beautiful fountain.
Cost: $ for pizza, $ for gas, pretending that you live in those huge mansions...priceless!
Total: $$
Activity: We went to The Grove during Christmas time. I had been asking for weeks to go because I heard that it snowed every night at 7pm during the holiday season (yes it's fake, but only in LA would they have a scheduled time for snow.). This place is the cutest place during the holidays, they have a giant Christmas tree, Santa's house, a fountain that puts on a water show and lights everywhere. After exploring the place we ate at
The Cheese Cake Factory and had the most amazing peppermint cheesecake for dessert. I've been back four times since (to the grove, not the cheese cake factory). A really fun date!
Cost: $$ for dinner, getting to dance around in fake snow, priceless
Total: $$
3. Location: Bask n' Robbins, and the church parking lot in WC
Activity: To be honest, I can't completely remember where we were coming back from but it was probably ice cream since we like it so much. Anyway, Kiel whipped a romantic idea right out of his sleave and instead of heading to where I lived at the time, he drove to the church parking lot, arranged for his mp3 player (or whatever it was) to play "Hanging by the moment" by Lifehouse and another song, I think by incubus and then asked me to dance. So we did, just us and the stars. I know, can we say...Awwwww!
Cost: $ for icecream, seeing how romantic your boyfriend can be on a whim...priceless
Total: $
2. Location(s):
Yoshi's, Pizza across from yoshi's, Yoshi's and Barnes & Nobles
Activity: Our very first date ever!
Kiel took me to Yoshi's Jazz and Japanese food restaurant in Oakland for our first date. We bought tickets for the Jazz show and then went across the street to eat at this amazing pizza place that served deep dish pizza. We each had our own mini pizza (that was a time when I could finish all of my food.) it was so good, I think I had garlic chicken. Anyway afterwards we went back to Yoshi's and watched the show. I don't know much about music, but I think the band was pretty good. Afterwards we walked to Barnes & Nobles and looked at books. That was probably my favorite thing about the whole date, you can really learn alot from someone from there book choices. I learned that Kiel was obsessed with cars. He new every make and model in this car book without having to turn the page. Afterwards he dropped me off at my house and even though the date was going on 5 hours long, I invited him to watch some t.v. while he waited for his sister to get off of work at Apple bees. We watched Laguna Beach, and since I am such a reality t.v. junkie, it was a perfect way to end a perfect date!
Cost: $$ for dinner, $$ for tickets, connecting with someone on the first date, priceless!
Total: $$$$
And of course the number 1 date, would be the night he proposed....
Activity: Kiel made reservations at Cafe Pierre and we had a wonderful dinner. It was so good and the ambiance was perfect! After dinner we walked around the pier and rested at a bench overlooking the ocean. When Kiel was sure that no one was around he popped the question and pulled out a beautiful ring to "seal the deal." It was the best date ever!
Cost: $$$ for dinner, $$$$$$$$$ for the ring, watching a man squirm in his pants all evening, priceless
Total: $$$$$$$$$$$$$
And for the rest of the future guests at hotel Melissa's, let this be a lesson to you... pack extra toilet paper just in case ;-)
and if you want to be even closer, just take a walk down to the pier and you will be able to see this