Hey, baby, what’s cooking?” Todd called out as he entered our house.

This is his standard question on the nights when I make it home from work before he does. We often take turns preparing meals for each other, each of us delighting in the surprise of a waiting feast. This evening, however, the kitchen was closed, and Todd had to pass through the swinging wood doors into the dining room to find me.

The gilded light of glimmering candles momentarily shocked him into silence. He blinked curiously at the sight spread out before him on our table. My favorite heavy lace tablecloth dressed up the sturdy antique table, and an extravagant bouquet of fragrant white roses sat on the nearby credenza. All that was lacking from the well-planned decor was the silverware, napkins, glasses, and plates. But that was... Read More