Anniversary Weekend

Every year, in August, hubby and I make time to go away...

A quick weekend trip most of the time, but sometimes, the stars align and we can get away for a bit longer than that.

Many of you who read often know that we like to travel.

We just don't travel very often alone :)

It is just the two of us at home (well and four very needy cats) but there is something about being out of the house and away that allows us to relinquish all the stress of every day life and just relax.

It is a time for us to reflect on the past year and reconnect.

This year was no different.

We spent five days at a Bed and Breakfast in New Hampshire.

Now, we are not bed and breakfast people.

We try to be.

I want to be so badly sometimes.

I like the romantic notion of going away somewhere that isn't a sterile hotel and entering someone's home.

Getting to know others who are on vacation.

Sharing wine, playing games, eating breakfast etc.

In reality, many of these places just aren't for us.

This Inn was a good compromise.

They had a little cottage that we rented and we went in for breakfast and a game of chess every morning.

It is an area where we have been many times, with many people.

It was nice, to just relax.

Pretend to be tourists.

Take in the scenery.

Talk.

Those in depth and not so in depth conversations that happen when you are driving with someone that you barely have to verbalize something and they know exactly what you mean.

Those moments when you realize that you are both thinking exactly the same thing.

Laughing together about something silly and stupid.

Crying about the loss of a loved one.

Sharing stories that for some bizarre reason haven't been shared in the last twelve years.

Stopping to do some silly little roadside attraction simply because there are no time limits, no place to be, nothing to worry about missing.

Holding hands and taking in the scenery without saying anything at all.

Goading each other into trying something that hasn't' been done.

Compromising on activities

dipping your toes in the cold mountain water, knowing that there is no place else that  you need to be...but more importantly that you would rather be.

The casual drape of his arms around my shoulders, or my arm wrapped around his waste.

Smiling and laughing

Not talking about everything at home, 

Not stressing about anything.

But at the end of the weekend...what was the best of all...was looking at each other and realizing that although life is stressful,

Although we may yell

we may fight

We may get stressed out and crazy...

We still really, really like each other..

That sounds like a silly thing, but when we get caught up in the day to day craziness of work and the house and all that goes along with it...we sometimes forget..

The trip allowed us to refocus, communicate and enjoy each other's company...

It is a tradition that I know we will keep up every year...

because sometimes, you just need to take that step back and remember why it is that you are walking on the same path...and that you really do enjoy each other's company.

hugs and love to you all!!