Auntie Date.

This morning I was sitting on my mom's bed talking to her while she got ready for work. I was talking about the disconnect I felt from my dad's side of the family, and honestly...how it didn't even bother me. Sounds kind of horrible I know. My dad was the only gem in that family. I honestly don't know how he did it. But he was a trooper and kept his head up and rolled with the punches and never took his family too seriously, so he taught me a lot about dealing with people. Now that my dad is gone, I don't think I'll ever talk to anyone in that family again which feels sort of nice and like I'm free. Yes blood is thicker than water, but sometimes it's not blood that makes a family what it is. Sometimes blood is just a group of relatives...not a family. Family is a big word; I don't use it lightly. And I think Heavenly Father blessed me with my mom's side of the family because He knew that they were what I would need and who I would want. We are the most important people in each other's lives. We are best friends+family. Sometimes it's a little crazy and gets a little overwhelming, but it's only because we're so close and we love each other so much. We would do anything for each other. I love them all more than anything in the world. I don't really think Heavenly Father overcompensates with blessings...but I do know that I've been truly blessed with the Robinsons and that my family cup "runneth over."

With all that said, my Aunt Lori, my mom's older sister, is more than an aunt. She is definitely one of my closest friends and she is more like a sister than an aunt. We talk every single day, text pretty much all day, and confide in each other. I always know she understands me and listens to me and wants the best for me. Plus she's really funny. Bonus.

We try to go on Aunt+Niece dates at the very least once a month. So last week she texted me and told me the next day she wanted to take me on a date to lunch at the Grand Del Mar hotel, and then to see the movie Morning Glory after. Best date ever. Highly recommended whether is be with a real date or a family date.


The lobby when you walk in. It looks small, but it's actually huge and so much more beautiful than pictures show.
Fresh roses and hydrangea. The most beautiful flower arrangement I've ever seen.
The tea room. One of my favorite places in the hotel.
They had wine cellars you could dine in. One room for each different type of wine, with wine bottles from floor to ceiling on all walls.
Walking down to the restaurant for lunch.
Views from our table:
Even the bathroom was gorgeous. Yep, the bathroom.
We headed over to the gift shop which was amazing, and made me wish I was the owner of an American Express Black Card. We found tons of wish list items, including a gold necklace I'm wanting for Chritmas. Included on that list was Steve, the cashier. We talked to him for half an hour and fell in love. He was fabulously gay and so funny. Not like Kurt on Glee gay, the kind you want to have around all the time. Plus he gave us an employees 20% off discount card for next time we go there. Oh Steve...
The grounds of the hotel are absolutely amazing.
We're walking out to valet to go home and my aunt goes, "Watch, my new highlander will be the crappiest car in the lot."
Rich people and their limo's...
After, we went to see Morning Glory. Loved it.
It was a great date with my Auntie. One I'll always remember.
I love you Poppy!