Last year Rennie and I celebrated our 20th anniversary under full curfew as Rennie wrote here at the time.  A celebration that was interesting, different and special in lots of ways that we will never forget – but not what anyone would have guessed or in circumstances to be guessed, either.

Coronavirus is still here, and we still have to take care, but for quite some months now we have been lucky to have complete freedom of movement and so be able to celebrate things as we might wish.

For our 21st wedding anniversary last week we both liked the idea of a juicy steak at Uga Residences on Park Street where we had celebrated Valentine’s Day.  We had a wonderful evening, but with a few twists that started with Rennie being called to the hospital for the delivery of a baby just a few hours’ before.  I ended up going the to restaurant alone with a bag of clean clothes for Rennie and the promise via WhatsApp of “Don’t worry.  I won’t stand you up! 🙂 ” just like a first date!   

Ten minutes alone at the table for two became, fifteen, then twenty and more.  I then heard a voice behind me that I recognised – but it wasn’t my lovely wife.  It was our dear Indian friend Mala and her husband Kumar being typically kind and calling in to wish us well on their way to a different restaurant where they had planned to dine.  Absolutely lovely – and I had engaging conversation with which to pass the time before Rennie arrived about an hour late but rightfully proud of what she had just been part of.

Farewells bade, we then enjoyed our dinner of slow cooked lamb shank for Rennie and a rare-side-of-medium-rare Rib Eye steak for me; just a hint more than my usual rare since it doesn’t work so well for this cut of beef. 

The next surprise was to be a celebratory cake on the house, followed by the biggest one of all that Mala and Kumar had made arrangements to settle the bill before they left.  How very, very kind.  This is typical of their generosity and thoughtfulness.

Completely different to last year, but once again a very special occasion to remind us of what we are so lucky to have; both in each other and those around us.

Steve