We ordered dinner and then decided while we were waiting to exchange gifts.
Keith pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket.
"Happy Anniversary, sweetheart."
I gasped as I opened it and saw a gold necklace with a diamond pendant. "Oh, wow . . ." I was speechless.
Keith stood up and helped me put it around my neck. He kissed me softly and then sat back down.
"Keith, it's beautiful. Thank you."
"You're welcome. That's part one."
"Part one?"
"You'll see when we get back to the cabin." He gave me his half smile, and I knew he was up to something.
"Okay, my turn."
I then handed him the box that I had refused to let him near all day.
He ripped the wrapping paper and opened it. I smiled; he looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Inside the box was an autographed picture of Jim Hardin and 2 tickets to an Orioles vs. Dodgers game next month. When Keith was nine years old his dad had taken him to his first Orioles game at Oriole Park. That day Hardin hit a home run and Keith on his father's shoulders had caught the ball.
"Wow! Mandy, I can't believe it! How did you get this?"
"A little research and I found a sports memorabilia shop in D.C."
"And tickets too, you're amazing!" He grinned.
"Aww, thanks. I got two so you and Eric could go."
"I want you to go with me, please?" He reached across the table and stroked my hand with his thumb.
"All right, but I've never been to a game." I squeezed his hand.
"Never?"
"Nope."
"Well, then you have to go. We'll have a great time."
"Of course we will, we'll be together." I smiled and he got up and hugged me. He kissed the top of my head then sat down as the waiter brought our pastas.
Champagne was poured and Keith made a toast. "To us."
"To us, forever and always," I said.
"Forever and always," he agreed.
We then ate dinner and made plans to go swimming, hiking and shopping in the next two days. When we finished eating, we went and got ice cream, then headed back to the cabin.
Keith led me up to the bedroom.
"Sweetheart, this was part two of my gift too," I teased.
He laughed. "No, that's later. Let's go to out to the balcony."