Date Ideas

Train Ride

This is a Date Idea that was sent in from Charlotte Oscarson. She, and her husband Marco, are the winner of the best Date Idea, 2007 Valentine's Day.

This is not a plan for this upcoming Valentine's Day, but I want to share a Valentines surprise for me that my husband (boyfriend at the time) planned two (2) Valentines’ ago.

Marco woke up in the morning and said, “Charlotte, you need to pack an overnight bag.” It wasn't a total shock because after all, it was 'Valentines' Day'. Although, I must say I was more used to flowers and a card than any kind of getaway, so I was ALL for packing a small bag.

We got in the car and were driving toward Downtown Nanaimo and parked in a big empty lot. Okay, I was confused! Until, I saw the train! Yes, the train...we were going on a train! But where??? He planned a train trip, because he knew I had never been on one.

Marco was still keeping quiet about our destination, and said I would find out soon enough. Did you know that on Valentines Day, people can Bungy Jump nude? I don’t know this from personal experience, but can tell you that the train stops right in front of the bridge and allows you a minute to watch. Its difficult to tell the gender of one that is hanging upside down - I never knew this before.

By now I am pretty certain that we are heading to Victoria, and I enjoyed every romantic minute riding through the mountains & over the tressels. It was spectacular! It felt so special that he planned this for me without my knowledge.

At 6pm, we arrive in Victoria, just as I had figured out. As we started to disembark the train, there seemed to be something going on outside. As I walked down the stairs, I saw these adorable men in red suits holding balloons and flowers and a card. Marco was walking behind me, so I didn't see him gesture to the men that, “I am the one they are waiting for.” They began to serenade me. ARE YOU KIDDING??? It is the Victoria Village Squires Barbershop Quartet! They sang three love songs to me at the Bay Street Train Station in front of the passengers and passer-byers. They gave me a card along with the balloons, flowers and of course, the songs. It was amazing! I never felt so special and so loved in all my life. I couldn't talk, or I would cry like a baby. I just stood there with a smile and a lump in my throat. We then walked down the road where Marco had booked a beautiful hotel suite in Downtown Victoria. Later we went out for a nice dinner & drinks and then came back to our room..........need I say more????

Happy Valentines Day and I hope that EVERY woman in the world has an opportunity to feel as special as I did that year.