Let me back up a smidge.
Earlier in the week, Mr. Aubrie asked me out on a date for Friday. It blew me away because previously he's never initiated alone time and since Dday, I expected to continue as we had in the past. So, I got a sitter, dolled up for him, and we went out on the town.
We went to a new restuarant. After dinner we went to the shooting range. We took the 9mm and the 22. Stupid me bought the wrong bullets for the 22 and we couldn't use it. I knew Mr. Aubrie would get mad about throwing money away (no returns on anything firearms related) but he just shrugged it off. Said he didn't care. Accidents happen. Then he totally kicked my butt in target practice. 
We ended the evening meandering thru a classic car show while we ate our frozen custard. I kept getting funny looks. I guess prissy, curly hair and a little black dress is sorta out of place at car shows. Mr. Aubrie loved it, so who cares. 
The evening was a smashing success. He held my hand and told me how proud he was of my progress. That he feels like we have now what he wished we'd had at the very beginning, and he's so grateful for the change.
Today he had to work a few hours and we had plans to go to the zoo with the kids. Well, Mom called and had this awesome plan that our entire family and a couple friends would get together for dinner. Normally I would alter my plans, cut our family time short, and we'd go to my parents. But as I sat on the phone with Mom, I realized that I wanted to spend time with just the 4 of us. I wanted to spend real family time with Mr. Aubrie. Because he's my family. I said, "Mom, I appreciate the offer, but we already had plans. Thanks but we'll do it another time." She was speechless. Because I've never said NO before.
Mr. Aubrie called me up later and I was telling him about the conversation. He got really quiet and then, "You really just said no to your mother!?"
Yep. I did.
"Why did you do that? You never say no!"
Because I had plans with you. I want to be with you today.
He was floored. He came home, we packed up and went to the zoo. Several times throughout the day he would grab my hand, shake his head and say, "Wow, you said no. I can't believe you did that for me."
At one point in the day I totally stuck my foot in my mouth. While at the zoo we saw a couple guys walk past in tuxes. Mr. Aubrie looked at me quizzically. I said, "Oh they have weddings, parties, and all kinds of shindigs here. Wouldn't that be awesome!? Getting married in front of the giraffes!? We should totally renew our vows in front of the giraffes!!!" 
Heck no did I just say that out loud! I cringed internally thinking of what to say next. Mr. Aubrie never skipped a beat. "I don't know if I could do that. Not because of the A at all, but just because of the crowd. The wedding was one thing, I just can't do a crowd again. Maybe just a few people with us." Ya'll, I almost died.
Then on the way home he said, "I feel like I'm wanted. Like I'm not just along for the ride. You want to be with me and you care about my feelings. You've made me feel important today and that means so much to me."
*sniff sniff*
If you've made it through this novel of a post, thanks for your patience! I've had all this happiness cooped up and had to pour it out.
