Cherry Blossom Festival at Fairmount Park with Tommy | 9 April 2022

Tommy’s birthday was yesterday and I wanted to celebrate his birthday early. I wasn’t sure if I was going to see him this weekend and on Friday I ended up shipping his gift. I don’t know why UPS charged me $68 for a gift bag with skate clothes, it only was a pound, when I sent books and scrapbooks it wasn’t that much! But, that is okay. He received it on his birthday and he was surprised. He loved his clothes and he can’t wait to wear matching shirts when we skateboard.

On Saturday we met up and he agreed to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival with me at Fairmount Park. He literally called when I was en route to Philadelphia and he caught up with me at 2:30. I had to take a few selfies in front of City Hall and the tulips as I waited. I also took some photos of the skaters.

He texted me at 2:30, “I’m here!”

I was going to text him back, “where?”

But he surprised me and skated up to me. He was dressed nicely; and he greeted me with a big hug and kiss. I had to get a selfie with my honey in front of the tulips and City Hall.

I treated him to a birthday lunch at Chili’s before we went to the festival. I was going to take him to Legoland, that was the original plan last week, but we decided to do more research. Everything I saw online seemed like we had to have a child present with us.

Plans change and that is okay. “The best laid plans of mice and men,” as the old saying goes. While the cherry blossom festival wasn’t Legoland, we enjoyed the scenery. The Japanese garden at Fairmount Park really was beautiful. I love this time of year, although my allergies hate it. The flowers and trees bursting into life and capturing that process makes up for the sneezing.

I love that the cherry blossom festival corresponds with NaPoWriMo. I wrote a poem about the experience for Day #10. Tommy and I took the 38 to Fairmount Park and when we hopped off at the Please Touch Museum, he was telling me about the Carousel House. It sounded romantic. We kissed under one the cherry blossom trees and walked hand in hand to the festival.

A Collection of Haikus for Tommy and Jessica

The Carousel House

reflects our hopes, dreams, joy,

hand in hand, we walk

along the smooth path

covered with cherry blossoms

camera ready—

pink lines the gray sky,

we coo and run underneath

cherry flowers

cover our clothes,

he then sneaks in for a kiss;

love under the tree.

Let’s take our pictures,

cherry trees soak in our love

nothing but smiles

and sweet “I love you”

hand in hand, we walk the grove,

young love in the spring.

We stayed an hour and left as the temperature was beginning to drop. We went back to his house, cuddled and played video games. He’s been teaching me how to play Minecraft. We played for a bit, then switched to Hot Wheels and another racing game. I’m getting better with video games and I’m so lucky that Tommy is so patient with me.

We played until 10pm, then had a late dinner. We brought food back from Best Quality and while we ate, his mom joined us. I really loved chatting with Jen, his mom, and it was nice that the three of us sat together for an hour just chatting. I’m thankful that his family welcomes me.

I think what Tommy and I ended up doing was a better birthday gift than Legoland. It was simple and we bonded. That is honestly the best gift, time and love. Before I went home, Tommy surprised me with a gift. He gave me a video game controller that I could use with my laptop – “honey, this will make playing Minecraft easier when we play online.” He wasn’t kidding. I love Tommy.