I love Valentine’s Day! In fact, I do believe it’s my single favorite holiday of the year. While I always find fun little ways to honor my husband, Brian, each day, I also get really excited as it’s the one time of year that’s dedicated Love Time! Ponder this…we’re talking about a time of year when we can indulge in all the best stuff! Let’s start with chocolate… well, is there anything else that’s more seductive than silky chocolate? Maybe pair that with some great cheese and a delicious red wine. Top off with sharing it all with the love of my life and now I think I’m in heaven! 🙂 For me, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating traditions and being with the one I adore. It’s time we set aside each year to stop all other activities and dedicate one day to being thankful for the specialness of our love and that we are blessed to have each other in our in our lives each and every day. It’s also about creating memories, so I guess it’s more than just a heart shaped box of chocolates (I know.. that’s a hard one to swallow for some! :-)).
One tradition that we have for Valentine’s Day is that each year we trade off who’s responsible for the planning of our V-Day event. In fact, we try and top what we did the previous year (which keeps getting harder and harder!). It really boils down to what we have in our budget and what creative ideas we can come up with.
Our first V-Day together we didn’t have a lot of funds to work with. Although, I think it still is at the top of my list of “favorites” romantically speaking… as it was just amazing and the time that we both shared together was super special!
This was my year to plan Valentine’s Day. During my preparations I made a list of everything that I’d need to create the most perfect Valentine’s Day celebration for my husband, Brian! The list started with stopping off at AJ’s to pick up some amazing chocolate covered strawberries. Okay, a bit cliché—but none-the-less, they looked delicious on a previous drop in and I just wanted them. I also went and picked up 2 acrylic wine glasses, a delightful bottle of red wine, some chocolate-covered dried cherries (my husband’s favorite) and happily grabbed up my list (that I had spent several days putting together mind you) of “101 Reasons Why I Love You.” I knew how much Brian loved taking animal and nature photographs at his zoo back home (Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle) so I also bought him an annual membership to the Phoenix Zoo so he could go anytime he wanted!
Now all I needed was a view! I had this incredible idea that if we could get up high enough we could see a view of the city at sunset, open up the back of our Hyundai Santa Fe, roll out a blanket and some pillows, have a glass of wine and cuddle up while we drop delicious chocolate bites of goodness into each other’s mouths. You’re there; you can see it with me, right? Right! The problem was, I was new here in Phoenix and couldn’t find anyone that could tell me how I could get up a road high enough like Camelback Mountain or some other higher place (without spending a fortune that is!) to get the view I was looking for. I even thought about maybe making a quick run out to the Superstitions….but the traffic would prevent us from getting there in time if we left at 5pm.. like everyone else in town that was heading east! I talked to co-workers, strangers, anyone who might share a tid bit on where to go. There has to be a Lover’s Point, Kissing Mountain… something! I searched and searched the internet. I was coming up empty! I must have finally typed in the right keywords because South Mountain Park came up in the search. It described everything that I was looking for—perfect! So early on Valentine’s Day I packed up the goodies and had them ready to go right after work, scooped up my Brian and we headed toward south Phoenix. I kept it a secret the whole time—which was part of the fun (we still do this!) and anticipation. I felt like I was racing the sunset—I kept looking over west begging the sun to just hang out and wait for us to get there before descending behind the mountains. We live in Central Phoenix, so it was about 40 minutes with traffic to get to the park. I didn’t take into consideration that that last few miles up the mountain were going to be at a crawl at 2mph behind several others who apparently had my same idea! Dammit all!
Stress filled every inch of my body as we were drove up the winding road on our mission to the top. That had to be one of the longest rides of my life! We finally got up past the cell towers and I knew we had to be close. We hit the parking lot and found the perfect spot to back into. And just like I had imagined; we pulled up the back hatch on the Santa Fe, lowered the back seats down, spread out a quilt, tossed pillows in and climbed in to watch the sunset! Yes, we just barely made it!
Giggling and happy… we ate chocolates, drank wine (sssshhhh.. don’t think that you’re supposed to do this one.. might break a law or something as it’s a city park) and listened to the Valentine’s Day iTunes playlist that Brian put together of songs he’d collected for several months listening to his new favorite Phx radio station. Yes, I read him my list.. and started with 101 and went backwards. It didn’t take as long as you’d think it would…pausing every now and then for a kiss or wiping a tear; the whole evening was just incredible.
At one point we looked outside of our own little piece of heaven and saw couples all around us cuddling, hugging.. and doing the same thing we were. The city was beautiful and it felt wonderful (and also FREE 🙂 ) to just be together and celebrate our love… what could be better? Hmmmm…. Dinner!
Brian’s favorite restaurant is Trader Vic’s, both the old one and the new one, at the Westin in Seattle then Bellevue, Washington. He took me there once for an appetizer dinner that I really enjoyed as the food was tasty and the atmosphere unique. Shortly after we moved here I found one in Scottsdale. I made a reservation in January (good thing!) and this was going to top the evening—and it did! Brian loves this restaurant for sentimental reasons. It was the place his father (passed away several years prior) used to take him and he has special memories of those times they spent together there. Of course I kept it a secret as well and at 7:15pm (and after about all the lovey-dovey, kissy romantic moments we could stand was coming to an end!) we packed up and headed down the hill. I had given Brian a print out of our driving instructions and I drove—he was still so new to town that he didn’t really have any idea where Scottsdale was to South Mountain… so he was clueless as to where we were going! Looooovvveee it! It seemed like we drove and drove—as I was again feeling impatient. It felt sorta like Christmas except I was the one doing all the surprising! THAT was cool! Felt so wonderful to just “give” to the love of my life and make this a super special Valentine’s Day! I wanted to blurt out our destination, but kept it in—which is not something I’m very good at doing, to say the least! I was so excited! We rounded the corner and he saw the sign for Trader Vic’s (was located at the Hotel Valley Ho–now closed, sad face) he was really, really surprised! What a treat for us to eat there together, at a new location, creating new memories reminiscent of a time long ago which he shared with his Dad. Nice! All on Valentine’s Day!
So yep.. how do you top that the following year?? I don’t know how.. but we keep doing it. Still, my favorite Valentine’s Day was that one. There were so many cool elements to it that made it special. This year is Brian’s year to do the V-Day planning. Should be good! One thing I can count on is my Valentine’s Day music iTunes Playlist—he’s done one every year! YAY! I love it!
What To Do for Valentine’s Day in the Valley of the Sun?
Just so I’m in the know as to what’s happening around town, I did some research and here are a few ideas for you to think on for Valentine’s Day! If budget isn’t an issue, there are some amazing things you can do to surprise your love on Valentine’s Day in the Valley of the Sun…and there’s a few items on the list that don’t take a huge amount of money to do. Just a reminder: if you’re going to book a reservation at local restaurant, be sure to do it early! Valentine’s Day seems to book up fast!
1. Most of you know this one… Sit back and enjoy a romantic waterway Gondola Ride at The Hyatt Regency Resort at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale! Maybe you’ll have just enjoyed a delicious dinner at one of their premier restaurants and then stroll down for a quiet, slow ride cuddled up together under a moon lit sky? Or head over just to steal a few moments together kissing under the stars. Tickets are just $10pp and there’s no need to reserve ahead—they don’t accept reservations as during peak times they can the crowds.
2. If you’re like me, my idea of romance is with some sort of view. Whether that means a warm glow of a fireplace or looking out over the city, I really enjoy a view. A Different Point of View at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort atop North Mountain in Phoenix is an amazing experience. For approximately $110pp you can enjoy a 5 course offering while enjoying the stunning city views are the sun drops down behind the mountains. It’s truly amazing as you see all the lights of the city glow for miles. Dinner consists of a pre-set menu, (click here for preview) with choices for all tastes. I recommend doing this at least once. We saved up and did this a few years back and it was really romantic! We had a great time together!
3. If you’re a Foodie, then you know El Chorro in Paradise Valley. Imagine—dinning under the stars while peering at amazing Camelback Mountain at sunset, this experience is one that you won’t forget. The Valentine’s Day menu offers options like center cut filet and rich chocolate cake—and what makes this even better is the price! For $150 for the both of you, enjoy a 3 course meal complete with dessert and wine pairings! Or skip the wine and just go for dinner and dessert which won’t break the bank at $98 for 2!
4. Make memories with your special someone and celebrate Valentine’s Day at iPic Theaters at the Scottsdale Quarter! This is the best kept secret in Scottsdale, offering a romantic atmosphere as you’re being pampered with delicious bites from Tanzy Restaurant and drinks from Salt, (THE premier mixologists in the movie business) all while enjoying a premium movie date for just the two of you! Just reading the V-Day menu is making MY mouth water! Click here for the menu! Check out their movie listing for Valentine’s Day here. Ssssshhhh.. I hear you can even cuddle up with a blanky and pillow if you want! Just ask your personal concierge… How cool is that?
5. The Revive Spa at the Marriott Desert Ridge Resort.. I hear the ooooo’s and aaaaaaahhhh’s from here! Wow.. this is the ultimate in personal pampering. Everything is abfab.. from the spa experience to dining, to relaxing out by the pool. When I think of luxury, this is surely one place in Scottsdale that comes to mind. The couples massages are rich, soothing goodness. The February Champagne and Rose Pedi for $65 sounds like a real treat! Click here for more monthly Spa Specials.
6. Hot Air Balloon Ride—Several companies are offering special Valentine’s Day Specials. Brian booked me a special 40th BD surprise with Hot Air Expeditions–they were incredible and very professional. Loved it!
7. Sky Diving—Put a little thrill into your V-Day and Sky Dive with your special love… Parachutes Over Phoenix.. yeah baby! Click here for more info!
8. Talking Stick Resort @ Casino Arizona Hotel Package—and Buffet Dinner—who can resist this? If you haven’t been yet, consider going. There’s all kinds of ways you can enjoy Valentine’s Day at TSR! Check out their spa Fairway to Heaven Package–ahhhhh nice!
9. Sassi at Carefree! What can be better than “Kissing Shrimp” and Love Letters Pasta? Exective chef Christopher Nicosia promised a delicious prix-fixe four-course dinner that’s sure to put the RO in romance! With a gorgeous location—this is a great option for those of you who’d like to try out the location before booking your wedding there!
10. Here’s a unique idea!! The Grand Canyon Railway!! Board a train and see Arizona’s most wondrous natural wonder – the Grand Canyon. Then enjoy a meal at the Centennial Sweetheart Dinner at the Sultana Theatre, which was built in 1912. Here’s the address: Centennial Train and Sweetheart Dinner, 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams. Price for your train ticket is $7.50 for the ride.
For Valentine’s Day.. be sure to be mindful of the time you have together. My Dad always says “Be good to yourselves”… so that’s my wish to you for this day of Love!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you–In Dreamcicle Love and Happiness,
K&B <3
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.