This year on Valentine's Day, my date was my grandson, Brady, since I was in Orlando while both Kyle and Kim were out of town, so I was watching Carter and Brady. When I told Brady he was going to be my date, he asked, "What's a date?" Hah! We had a great time seeing the "Lego's" movie in 3-D. So, when I got home after being in Orlando for four days, George had a fantastic belated Valentine evening for us!
The evening began with a wonderful view of the river at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in downtown Jacksonville. The weather was absolutely perfect!
George's secretary gave him a gift certificate at Christmas time, and this was the perfect time to go! Thanks so much, Shirlene!
The food was absolutely divine!
As the sun went down and the lights on the buildings and bridges came on, it was truly a breathtaking scene!
After the fantastic dinner, we went to the Times-Union Center to attend a performance that I have wanted to see for so long! I absolutely loved Steven Spielberg's 2011 movie of "War Horse" which George and I took my father to while he was in Jacksonville. Then, when I heard it had been made into a Broadway Play which won five Tony Awards, I knew I had to see it!
Since the main character is a horse, it was a real challenge. As they stated in the description, "Horses aren't known for their thespian skills, and having a live horse trotting about the stage could get rather messy." So the answer was an elaborate and ingenious puppet, operated by three puppeteers from the South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company. Actually there are about eight horses in the play!
Originally the author of the book from which this play is based was disappointed that Joey, the horse who becomes a war horse during World War I, was going to be portrayed by a puppet, but that disappointment turned to joy. Although it is made of leather and cane and aluminum struts and is lightweight but strong enough to carry a rider, the emotions shown by the horse brings you to tears as he interacts with the characters around him.
It is so fitting that besides this U.S. tour, "War Horse" is being performed in London and Berlin, the capitals of countries that fought each other 100 years ago in World War I. The author stated, "This play really is about reconciliation and about longing for peace." We are so fortunate that the author of the novel insisted that the play must come to Jacksonville where his cousin who is 90 years old lives, and he wanted her to see it. We absolutely loved this play--one of our favorite Broadway plays ever!!! If you get the chance, be sure to see it!
So the belated Valentine's Day was perfect! It hardly seems possible that it soon will be 46 years since this event--our engagement! 
Even with all his Rexburg jokes, he is still my best friend and sweet Valentine! Thanks for the great evening, George! It was perfect!
