I should have known I was in over my head when the woman in reservations asked for my credit card to hold our brunch seating.
But after all my diligent research I figured it couldn’t cost TOO much to celebrate our Daddy in style.
I threw out my old gift giving ways this year. No ties or sauces for daddy, no sports visors or knick-knack items –this year I wanted to dazzle my man with creativity.
My husband Tim adores Bloody Marys so I did a little sleuthing. I discovered the famous drink was initially formulated by the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan, New York. I also found out the St. Regis in Monarch Beach, not far from our home, offered a three-tier Bloody Mary bar on Father’s day. And the best part…each custom concoction was only a mere $10.
It sounded reasonable, so I called and made a reservation at Motif –the main restaurant at the hotel.
Father’s Day arrived and my hubby was dressed up and amped up for his special DAD activity. After an early breakfast in bed, church, and dropping off the big kids, Tim and I and little Kolby headed over to the stunning hotel overlooking the azure blue sea.
The valet whisked our car away and we entered the grandeur of the St. Regis. Vistas and views met our every turn and rich people glided and tottered by in impossibly high heels. We found our dining establishment and checked in with the hostess who handed us glasses of champagne while we waited. I people watched and played with Kolby who climbed up and down the majestic staircase.
Tim ventured into the restaurant to take a peep at the Bloody Mary bar. His eyes were big when he came back and he bubbled over with energy as he described the decadent condiments and accoutrements. Then he casually inquired how much the brunch cost.
“I’m not sure,” I replied. “The drinks are only $10 so it can’t be that much, maybe $45 a person?”
This seemed like a large number to me.
Tim wandered away again as I downed my bubbly and played with my little girl. He came back a few minutes later with a giddy and dazed look on his face.
“You must really love me,” he stuttered.
Quizzically, I turned. “Yes, I do…why do you say that?”
“Because the brunch is a bit more than your highest estimation,” Tim gulped.
“How much is it?” I whispered.
“It’s $115 a plate and the Bloody Mary Bar is on top of that,” he frantically giggled.
I furtively looked around. “Maybe we can run?”
Then I remembered they had my credit card. We were stuck.
My eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry; I didn’t know it was so much.”
Tim looked at me with laughter, kindness and mirth. “I know honey. It’s ok. But we are going to get our money’s worth today.”
We stayed for almost three hours and ate and ate and ate and ate. And truthfully, it was the finest buffet experience of my life. Kolby even took a nap and they brought her a blanket to lounge.
I’m realizing over and over again, that although I have plans, God loves nothing more than to mess them up. His ways are mysterious and daring. He invites me to trust and to lavish love on my husband.
It wasn’t in my budget. I had to charge my almost $300 brunch, but my husband felt treasured and esteemed in a different way than normal. It was extravagant love and maybe that’s reason enough to be a little crazy and a lot of broke.
Oswald Chambers said…
“It is more and more impossible for me to have programs and plans because God alone has the plan, and our plans are only apt to hinder Him, and make it necessary for Him to break them up.”
