Surprise Valentine
By Kyleen, age 15, Arizona
It began on Valentine's Day 2008. It was probably the best and most amazing date I had ever been on. It wasn't much, but it was the cutest thing anyone had ever scheduled for a date. He and his dad picked me up around noon and began to take me somewhere which he had left a surprise.
All I saw while we were driving was tons and tons of desert, to be expected since we were in Arizona. Then all of a sudden I saw tons of farm land. Honestly, I started to get scared that he was going to take me on a date to a farm where I would have to deal with cows and stuff. But as we kept driving we came to a few houses. We pulled into a cute little adobe looking house and out came his aunt, whom I had met before. She asked me if I was ready. I seriously didn't know how to answer, so I nodded yes, and she led me into the house. She handed me boots, my size, and some jeans that I could wear. I had worn flip flops and shorts because it was pretty hot that day. I put them on, and still confused was led back outside to my date. He had pulled up two horses. I had ridden a million times before, and knew what colors were what. He had a palomino and a bay, one girl and one boy. The girl was so gorgeous, and she had a cute pinkish saddle.
He said, "Get on, we are riding somewhere." I looked at him strangely, and to my look he responded, "Trust me." So I got on and began to follow him down the dirt path he headed towards. We rode for what felt like maybe an hour. It was such a fun and pretty ride. The view from up on the horse was so beautiful. The surrounding nature was amazing. Every now and then he would take off on a gallop and my horse would follow, so half the time I was trying to get my balance back. But it really was a cool ride, and worth the time we spent on it.
As we came to a river (and oh my, was it beautiful) he started to slow down. He had apparently gotten there before, because there was a blanket laid out and food on a small table nearby. It looked like my date would be a picnic by a beautiful river and a ride through the natural beauty of Arizona, which in my mind is perfect.
We sat down to eat. He had packed all of my favorites. Fettucine alfredo, fresh cucumber salad, and my favorite garlic Italian bread. Italian food has always been a favorite of mine, and this meal was perfect for my appetite. We stayed for about two hours and ate. He kept teasing me the whole time, which I didn't mind because I teased him back. It was literally perfect! We spent the whole time talking and laughing, but then it was becoming late and we had to get going.
We packed everything up and got on the horses as the sun started to set. It was the end of winter in Arizona, which means that the sun sets earlier than usual. It was incredible, a ride home with the sun setting on a Valentine's date. It really couldn't have gotten any better. This was the most perfect date in my life. I told myself I would never forget it, and I haven't. But honestly, if you had been there, it would be locked in your mind forever.
