A night to remember

Brian and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary Friday May 16th and had the most wonderful date. I did the typical wifely thing, reminding Brian weeks in advance that our important anniversary was coming and that he might want to go get a little gift for me, implying that this was a big deal anniversary year and that I wanted us to share gifts with meaning.

I made dinner reservations at Canlis but kept our destination a secret from Brian. We had Madeline over to babysit Abby, got dressed up in fancy clothes, sprayed on perfume, and hopped in our freshly washed Mini. When we pulled up to the entrance two valets opened our doors simultaneously and while one zipped our car out of site, the other escorted us into the dimly lit restaurant. We were greeted and led to the bar where we enjoyed cocktails and a sashimi ahi tuna appetizer while we visited. Soon we heard, "Mr and Mrs McFarlane, your table is ready", and were led to a table with an unbelievable view - the dark blue water of Lake Union on which boats sailed by and sea planes took off. The background revealed the clear crisp snowcapped Cascade Mountains. Our waitress, Terry, was so kind and hospitable. We ordered our meals and discussed our wine options with a very knowledgeable sommelier.

We couldn't wait any longer to open each other's gifts. Brian composed an artistic and romantic poem about our life together. I wrote about our wonderful marriage, reflecting on the last 5 years. Brian unwrapped the iPod Nano I gave him so that he could carry songs, pictures, and videos along with him as he trains for his mountain climbing trips. Then it was my turn...he had been dropping little hints and "accidently" leaving Ann Taylor bags out, ultimately convincing me that he must have bought me clothes. So, I smiled knowingly as I pulled at the tissue paper, but I was speechless when I pulled out a tiny maroon bag with a small maroon package tied with a pretty gold bow. No outfit would fit in such a small package. My eyes teared up, and my hands shook a bit as I opened the velvet box. Let me just insert here that this is a big deal. I've always hinted that I wanted jewelry, but Brian teased me, saying that I really didn't want jewelry, or flowers, etc... I opened the box to find sparkling princess cut diamond earrings. They are gorgeous. I put them on immediately, and I love them. What a special gift.

I have to tell you how amazing our food was. We started with complementary chilled pea soup in sake cups. Brian ordered a white asparagus soup, poured from a decanter at the table side. I had a Dungeness crab salad with french green beans. It was delicious. Then the unforgetable entree...I ordered a Kobe-beef Angus raised Wangu steak. It was the most phenomenal steak. It came with a phenomenal price tag as well. You could cut it with a butter knife, and it just melted in your mouth. Brian had seared salmon with a special berry sauce and hickory smoked bacon. For dessert, we had a souflee (our first souflee experience). It was incredible! Top that off with a latte, and we were full and happy.

Our waitress was kind enough too give us a tour of Canlis after dinner, and she sent us home with a box of chocolate filled macaroons for the babysitter. It was a very special magical night, one we will remember with fondness. I hope our next 5 years will be as fun and adventure filled as the first five were. Something tells me that with Brian McFarlane, and now Abby McFarlane, they will be.

-Diana