Jonathan had been meticulously planning their anniversary celebration for nearly a year, savoring the anticipation of surprising his wife with an evening designed just for her. Every detail had been carefully thought through—the reservations at her favorite restaurant, the little gifts tucked away for later, the ambiance he knew she loved.

Financially secure and determined to make the night flawless, his greatest hurdle had been finding someone trustworthy to watch their two young children, Lily and Jack. When he finally secured a reliable caregiver, relief washed over him. For one night, it would just be the two of them again, free from bedtime routines and spilled juice cups.

At the restaurant, candlelight flickered against polished glass and quiet music drifted through the air. Jonathan felt the months of planning melt into the background. He took a slow sip of his drink, ran a hand through his neatly styled hair, and let himself relax for the first time in weeks. His gaze lingered on his wife—her smile, the way the light caught in her eyes.

Leaning forward, a playful glint sparking in his own, he raised his glass. “To a night without interruptions,” he said, his tone a mix of humor and tenderness. Then, after a beat, his voice softened, more vulnerable. “And to us—still choosing each other, every day.”