Holy Chocolate, Batman!

You know how there are times in life that are defining moments?

I think that there are desserts in life that are defining as well!

There have been some desserts that I've had that were amazingly delicious. (Jill's pumpkin pie comes to mind!) But there is one dessert-ing experience that forever changed my life.

Setting the stage...

It was May, 2004. Amy, Drewey & I were in California, visiting Roy & Lee. We had just spent the day experiencing San Francisco... boating to Alcatraz, walking the Golden Gate, laughing at (and being cussed out by) street performers, watching countless seals bark, etc.

Roy & Lee suggested that we finish out the day with a trip to the Ghiradelli Chocolate factory. They have an ice cream shop and large gift shop, and in we went.

I ordered a brownie sundae. And it came, in all it's glory. The brownie was freshly baked, the ice cream very creamy, and the hot fudge sauce newly made right there. Pretty much if Heaven is like that sundae, I'm all over going there! :)

You might wonder what brought this to mind? Why is she blogging about a dessert that she ate two and a half years ago?

I'll tell you...

Last night, I got home from school after 11 o'clock. I'd been gone since before seven that morning, so I was weary in mind and body. On my kitchen table lay two boxes.

One was addressed to Amy, and one was addressed to me. I searched the box for a sender, and then saw two things that made my heart leap! One said "Ghiradelli Tower"... but the other said "Leone."

Upon opening this treasure, I found a tower composed of five boxes, all tied together with a gorgeous bow. Gone was my weariness, and sleep could wait, as I started to untie the bow... and with great glee opened each box to see it's contents.

Tier 1 - four chocolate squares

Tier 2 - a bag of chocolate

Tier 3 - chocolate coffee (oh my GOSH!)

Tier 4 - hot chocolate and two more bags of chocolate

Tier 5 - a box of individual chocolates

Then, because I wanted to be surprised all over again when I woke up, I put everything back in the boxes, re-stacked them, and even re-tied the bow!

There was a card enclosed, filled with love and memories from Roy & Lee, which meant far more than the chocolate.

And this morning, I brought Amy's box to work, and watched her go through the same steps I did! Joy times TWO!

I have not tasted of the bounty, so enough typing - The time has come for action!