Our ninth anniversary is fast approaching.
I have to make a side note. "Ninth" has always been a hard word for me to spell. Not that I have an easy time with any word. I'm the world's most horrible speller. But "ninth"....shouldn't it be
n-i-n-e-t-h? I mean it looks like the "i" would be pronounced as a short sound in "ninth" rather than a long sound. Oh well...back to the post.
We decided from the very first that our anniversary gift to each other would be to get away for a little outing to celebrate. Some of our most memorable "gifts" have been: glamorous nights out for dinner and theater in San Francisco, a trip to Monterey Bay, a week long vacation in Hawaii, and weekends in the mountains.
We agreed on a budget this year and the fun of planning our adventure began.
I love searching the internet for the best vacation to fit our interests and budget. I found a great deal on a cruise from Vancouver to LA, with a one day stop in San Francisco. But we needed passports.
(This happens quite often, so you will be happy to know we finally submitted our applications and the passports should be in our mailbox in four to six weeks.)
So the fantastic cruise deal was a no go.
I started the search again.
Our budget was impacted by the fact that we needed to board our four-legged, furry children while we were gone and, unfortunately, the kennel is not cheap.
Hmmm...budget minus boarding fees...relaxing time away in a wonderful hotel/resort in a beautiful setting, with a great downtown atmosphere for at least three days. Hmmm...
If you've followed my blog for any amount of time, you know where we are going. Yep, Ouray. I've gushed so many times about my adoration for this "Little Switzerland" village nestled in the San Juan Mountains. There's something about going to a place you love. We have a favorite stops in Ouray that we make every time we are there. Familiarity is comforting. It always feels like the mountains are welcoming me with open arms and then enveloping me with their beauty.
During one trip, while window shopping in Ouray, I took a bathroom break at the Beaumont Hotel and Spa. WOW! I was enthralled by the opulence. I'm not too proud to tell you that while "sitting on the throne", I pretended I was a guest of this grand palace on Main Street rather than a trespasser from the Best Western down the street.
I typed "Beaumont Hotel, Ouray, Colorado" into the search bar and started dreaming. My dreams came to fruition when I discovered that our budget allows for three nights in the "Skylight Grand Suite". Let the countdown begin!
Nine years...good and bad, thick and thin, sickness and health, richer and poorer.
The celebration of our wedding day is important to us. Even when the "poorer" years didn't allow us to get away for a few days, September 28th reminds us how blessed we are that God created this marriage.
I do not believe in "luck", but if I could change the words of one of my favorite songs by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat from "lucky" to "blessed", it would sum up my feelings for this wonderful man God gave me.
Lucky I'm in love with my best friend.
Lucky to have been where I have been.
Lucky to be coming home again.
Lucky we're in love in every way.
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed.
Lucky to be coming home someday.
And to add my own verse...
Blessed by God in every single way.
Blessed we can celebrate our day
In a beautiful palace in Ouray.
:)
