Tuesday, February 13, 2018

a rainy day Philadelphia Valentine

Last year, we celebrated love day in the big apple with an NYC Valentine. The year before, we were in Boston. And this year we celebrated in Philadelphia. It’s become an inadvertent tradition to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a different city every year and this makes for one very happy love day. But this year in Philly was extra special because...
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the city where the 18 year versions of ourselves met--had our first date--started dating just 2 weeks after that first date--began this great love--kissed a teary goodbye at the airport 6 months later, not really knowing if we would ever see each other again, and then finally returned 4 years later with Tom kidnapping me and bringing me to the city to pull off the best proposal. And if you can believe it, we haven’t been back since our engagement…until now.
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
We both took off Friday, flew in, and met up at the Philadelphia Airport. Friday night involved a very expensive very romantic dinner at the same restaurant where we had dinner the night Tom proposed. Then we spent Saturday at the wedding of sweet Ele. Like Tom and I, she and her fiancé were long distance while they both attended grad school so it was wonderful to spend Valentine's Day weekend witnessing such a strong love become a union. Then on Sunday, we had the day all for ourselves. It was a rainy one that we packed full of fun day dates to celebrate Valentine's Day. 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
First up for our rainy Sunday celebrations....visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Can you believe that Tom and I never came here when we actually lived in Philadelphia? It's so easy to take things for granted when they are close by. Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Independence Hall...where the declaration of independence was signed 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
+ the meeting place of the first Supreme Court
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
After a rainy morning touring in out of the various buildings at Independence Hall, we headed to spend some time warming up indoors at the Mütter Medical Museum
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
A date visiting the medical oddities may not be on everyone's list, but I actually found it so romantic that Tom was willing to visit with me (even though this kind of stuff grosses him out)...such a sweet gesture from my valentine. 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
After the museum, we were starving and headed out to brunch at Cuba Libre. This place is an absolute must for the best meal and atmosphere. Also, cocktails are mandatory! I had the grilled pineapple mojito while Tom did the pineapple mimosa. 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
We shared dishes, starting with the crab guacamole with actual plantain chips. Also, shared a seafood soup and a cuban version of "chicken and waffles" with a quinoa waffle and mango maple syrup topping. Seriously amazing. 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
By the way, I think this food has me convinced we need to go Cuba. Surprised that Tom agrees. Ha! I guess the way to a man's heart really is through his stomach. 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
To walk off our lunch calories, we headed over to nearby Penn's View Landing Park. This is the spot where we had our first date 10 years ago, skating on the outdoor river rink. We had hopped to go ice skating again, but the pouring rain changed those plans. It was still fun strolling through the park, even if we did get soaked.  
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
With time to spare, we squeezed in one last activity for our day date with heading to yet another museum...the Franklin Institute of Art because we cannot resist a good art museum.
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Worth climbing up the Rocky stairs outside the museum to see this Monet inside
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
Oh just a causally hanging out with a Van Gough
If your a fan of the Vincent Sunflowers, it's wort it to see in person-the texture can't quite be captured in a photo 
Valentine's Day Philadelphia
We ended the day by sharing an Uber to the airport where we had dinner and waited at the gate to take our separate flights home. Between my connections and the long drive from the airport, it was 2AM by the time I made it back, which made for a very exhausting day in clinic on Monday. But it was so worth it. With being long distance, Tom and I have to work harder at craving out time together. And I'm so thankful for this weekend we had. It was filled with lots of rain, delicious meals, even better cocktails, catching up on sleep, museum-hopping, wedding dancing, and non-stop time together. 
Happy Valentine's Day!

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