Episode 17: Judy Gets a Leg Up

Did you ever have a time in your life where everything was right? I mean that feel of perfection when the planets align and the fates smile upon you? Peace…utter peace and happiness—as if to hold infinity in the palm of your hand? That’s the feeling I had looking out the window at the amazing Sydney nighttime skyline.

There she was. Smiling, beautiful, sexy, smart, wearing my engagement ring — with legs that could stop any man dead in his tracks! I still couldn’t figure out why she picked me, but I was so glad she did.

That night we were bound by taxi for a Valentine’s dinner at Kobe Jones, a well-known Sydney waterfront restaurant. With a glass roof and windows, Kobe Jones is one of the best places in town for Japanese food. I’m not certain that the Japanese actually recognize Valentine’s Day, but that didn’t seem to bother Kobe’s staff. The restaurant was well decorated for Valentine’s–red table cloths and flowers adorned the every nook and cranny to set a romantic Asian ambiance.

We had Australian red wine (of course), looked into each other’s eyes, and kissed all night long. Course after course of delectable food arrived: the chili sauce dynamite scallops; miso citrus beek katsu; the garlic, ginger wagyu tenderloin tataki. Every dish was mouthwatering!

At the end of the evening, I gave Judy my love in a card with a gift to unwrap. Giddy, she unwrapped the box quickly to find a stunningly deep blue benitoite set in a platinum ring. She loved it! And just as I put it on her finger…boom, boom, boom from outside the restaurant. As we looked out the glass over the bay….fireworks! Right on cue!

We hugged and kissed and watched the fireworks. Our first Valentine’s Day together.

Click here for Episode 18: One Italian, a Pinch of Burger, and the Tongue of a Roo