When Plans Go Sideways… and Love Stays Straight

Maria loves celebrating important dates, and this is the mos important for us. One year ago today we got officially married in Abu Dhabi. It was a ceremony just for the two of us, but not less meaningful. Likewise, today we are celebrating together and alone, but in a memorable way.

On planning this day I told her: "I will take care of everything. And will be a surprise." The day would started with our typical Saturday breakfast, followed by an in house massage session and brunch at Nikki Beach. Gifts were already exchanged a month ago when I bought her a diamond ring and she gave me a gold one. But, of course, things were not quite as planned.

After our morning walk with Maya, we had our breakfast - the delicious pancakes Maria makes us, with freshly brewed coffee. Until this time, she didn't know anything about my plans, but I promised her to tell the activities a few moments prior - I know how she likes (needs) to be prepared.

So, at 10 AM, I told her we would have 2 masseuses coming for a couple's massage session at 11 AM, in case she needed to get ready. At 10:45 I received a message from the masseuse that they would be 30 minutes late. I t was fine, necause next plan would start at 1 PM, giving us plenty of time. But not quite so easy.

The clock stroke 11:30 and the tracking feature of the app I used to book the session was showing that they were in the other side of town. i chatted with them and they wouldn't be ready until 1:30 PM.

Ok, now I was getting stressed and the massage would be very necessary. So, Maria kept me chilled and suggested to change the date. It was going to change the whole dynamic of my plans, but I accepted it. Again, on the app, I was able to reschedule to the next morning. So, I told her where we were going. She got ready and, of course, made a call to her friend who runs the place and got us a discount. I told her I would hold my comments for a week before telling her, and I would let it go because I know how she feels about getting a bargain.

Arriving at Nikki Beach, the crew place us in the perfect table: by the sun - giving perfect lighting for pictures - and inside, keeping us on the air conditioning.

For 3 hours, we had the brunch of our lives: burrata, oysters and muscles, sushi, and main dishes: Maria had the sea bass and I had the ribs, which were dissolvingly soft, all of this washed down with unlimited Aperol Spritz, my new favorite day drink of choice.

At 4 PM, we enjoyed ourselves at the beach: me smoking cigar; her, sun bathing. A quick deep into the salty waters of the Arabian Gulf, and at 6 PM we headed to the shower to go home (by the way, having a shower right after the beach before going home is a totally different experience).

At 7 PM we got home to our baby Maya, and were surprised with gifts from our friends. The celebration was with "just" the two of us. But, to be honest, we don't need anybody else.