A Valentine’s Date worth a Blog Post

Our first Valentine's as a couple! Whatta a memorable time! Men, take note, THIS is how you do Valentines! First, it was all a surprise, so I had no idea where we were going. My only instruction was to dress up more than for an expected date. I wore a swanky maxi dress and my white wool (it was cold!) floor-length coat. I love that vintage find!

After much in-depth conversation in the car, we landed at the Van Gogh exhibit in Raleigh! This charming delight made my heart so so happy. I'm an artsy fartsy person and have wanted to go for so long. From beginning to end, this immersive experience entertained and sparked the creative side of my brain.

A couple of takeaways immediately connected with my soul. Van Gogh's favorite color was yellow (so is mine!), and his favorite flower was sunflowers (so is mine!).

All senses go!

You get to taste test and sip on Van Gogh's favorite tea, Almond Blossom, if I remember correctly, as you walk through the learning of Van Gogh's life and story.

Art to scale

You can walk into many of his life-sized paintings. As fanatical as that sounds, it's so clever to think of art that way.

You then enter a room full of projectors displaying animated versions of Van Gogh's paintings on each wall and even the floor in a choreographed looped art routine. You are relaxing in a hammock-like chair, just listening, watching, and taking in all the exhibit offers.

If you go, you definitely try to find this discrepancy within the show. :)

My favorite part was the VR headset and you once again stepping into the world of Van Gogh. I couldn't stop looking around at the details!

We walked away with two coffee mugs because I'm obsessive about collecting them from places I go and events I experience. Are you like that? What do you have to collect for sweet memories?

Next, we headed to dinner at the great Rey's! I've never eaten there, but it was divine! I ordered chicken piccata, and boy! That was the best lemony piccata I have ever had in my life. Chris ordered the steak special, and it was probably the size of my forearm! Haha. We finished with a cheesecake, as is our tradition (thank you, Mimmos, for your monthly indulgence). It was so creamy, silky, and delicious. We experienced excellent service from an attentive staff. We jokingly refer to our waiter that we have Jeeves. It was the best Valentine's date I've ever had.

So, fellas, listen up. Please, please, please do the following:

1 Plan the date and keep it a surprise if you can

2 Figure out what your honey likes. Is it art, music, or sports? Is she a foodie or a movie junkie? Coordinate an experience with her in mind.

3 Make sure you try all the new things, unique adventures will give you memories to talk about for years.

4 Let her laugh and make inside jokes that make you smile just thinking about them.

5 Be respectful. You know all the gentlemanly things like pulling the chair out for her, keeping your attention on her, and I promise. Putty. In. Hand.

My V-day present for Chris was siracha sauce, a button down, and bacon roses that I made. Let me know if you want a tutorial.

K Bye

Megan

Just doing life, the best I know how…