"Will you be my girlfriend?" (4 Year Anniversary)

On October 14, 2008, Kate and I celebrated our 4th anniversary (since we started officially dating on October 14, 2004). Kate and I actually met in early September of 2004 after Kate moved into her 1st apartment with her friends. One of Kate's roommates, Sarah, knew a guy named Colby who was a friend of mine. One night, Sarah invited Colby and his friends over to hang out with her and her roommates. Kate and I hit it off right away. We bonded over the horror stories that I was telling Kate about her new landlord/rental company, Pella. I had previously rented an apartment that was owned and managed by Pella, and I described all of the many problems that she would soon have. She didn't believe me at first, and she thought it was a big joke or that I was trying to spook her, but over time, she witnessed everything that I described that night over the course of her two years at that apartment. Despite the strange conversation topics of that night, we both really enjoyed each other's company. We continued to hang out on a regular basis for most of the next month, but it wasn't until October 14th that we committed to a relationship. "Will you be my girlfriend?" Haha, just kidding. I think the conversation was more romantic than that. We both shared our strong feelings for each other, but my side of the conversation probably wasn't as romantic and smooth as I thought it was. Anyway, we celebrated 4 wonderful years since we started dating (which includes 2 years of living together). As Kate might say, she has tolerated 4 years of suffering through my presence. Moving right along, here's more about our special celebratory evening.

Kate and I have been to many very nice restaurants for our previous anniversaries, but this year, despite the fact that the two of us have more money now than we ever had before, we went to a more reasonable priced restaurant, but an outstanding one, nonetheless. We've both been trying to save as much money as possible, considering the bleak economic outlook, and it just seemed appropriate that at a time like this, we should tone our celebration down just a little.

We decided to go to Columbus Brewing Company which is definitely one of our favorite restaurants. Kate loves their Cosmopolitans and insists that they have the best Cosmos EVER!!! We think that the Finlandia Pineapple-infused Vodka and pineapple chunk (which appears to be soaked in vodka) is what makes it so good.

I, on the other hand, love their beers (big surprise). I love doing the sampler paddle where they give you the whole beer lineup in 4-5 oz mini glasses. It's a really good way to sample the wide tastes and flavors of their different beers.

We ordered their ahi tuna appetizer and their calamari appetizer. We both agree that Cap City and Columbus Brewing Company do calamari better than anywhere else in Columbus. The breading is light and the calamari is served with Thai chili sauce. Those are key. They also do not skimp when it comes to the amount of calamari served. To get the amount of calamari that you get for $10 is a real bargain.

They have a number of salads that sound amazing, but we simply didn't think we'd be able to get salads with all of the other items we wanted to order. We don't skip dessert on our anniversaries, and we both had entrees in mind. Kate got the pecan-crusted chicken, and I got the prime rib sandwhich. Both are excellent, and we'd highly recommend everything we had to anyone who goes to CBC. We've never been disappointed with anything we've had there.

And for dessert, we got the chocolate lava cake/brownie and banana cream pie. Although we were already stuffed, both were amazing and we managed to finish everything. The waiter must have thought we were the two biggest gluttons he'd ever seen.

Kate still likes the Cosmo more than any other drink, but she tried a berries and bubbles martini which was made with champagne and raspberries which was also "amazing".

The best part about the meal (in my opinion) was that Kate picked up the tab for the first time. What an anniversary!!! It only took 4 years (and a lot of $$$).

We had a wonderful time, and we remenisced about the good times we've had so far and the many more we will have in our future. It doesn't seem like 4 years, but I guess, as they say, time flies when you're having fun. I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries with Kate... and I will expect to enjoy her picking up the tab too!