Monday, April 9, 2007

perfect ten

After juggling baby b. and getting home late last Tuesday night, I almost didn’t get on the plane on Wednesday. When I told my husband, “I don’t really want to go,” referring to our long-planned anniversary trip, he just looked at me: “You’ve got to be kidding me.” And so I went.

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect trip. We took advantage of my husband’s frequent travel perks and upgraded to first class for the flight to Arizona. Let me just pause and say here that whoever said money can’t buy happiness never had much money, because, honey, flying first class is pure happy! (Though I suppose if you’re a miserable person in general, it wouldn’t make much difference.) Our four-door practical sedan rental car turned into a flashy red sports car when the rental agent found out it was our anniversary. How fun is that?

And traveling with my husband of ten years, I was reminded all over again why I fell in love with him in the first place. As we were driving around in our zippy sports car, looking for a good spot for lunch, we agreed that fast-food was strictly forbidden. We drove by a number of places before we saw it: Mariscos Chiuahua. “That’s it!” we shouted in unison. We are foodie soul-mates! Of course, while dining at the lovely Mariscos Chiuahua, I relied on my fading Spanish skills to discover that the people at the table next to us were probably saying, “Hey! Look at the white lady trying to choke down that octopus tostada! Ha!” Not really, but the tostada was an interesting culinary experience.

Our actual anniversary was unbelievably perfect. Well, except for lunch. Let’s just say that sushi in Sedona is a bad idea. Anyway, we took a beautiful early morning hike, had lunch, and napped. After using “points” for our hotel—the beautiful Hilton Resort and Spa—we were in the mood to splurge. And splurge we did! After our naps, we headed over to the spa for a couples massage. My husband was a good sport in going along with this, and he did enjoy it—though it pushed him right to the edge of his comfort zone.

After our massages, we had just enough time to dress up and make our reservation at Rene’s for dinner. After a few years of mostly The Patio, Applebees, and McDonalds, this was a genuine treat. Our table was right next to the live musician of the evening, Vibhas Kenozia. Oh, and did I mention the beautiful earrings my husband gave me for our anniversary? I had to ask, “Can we still afford a new fence?” And, yes, I would have returned them if the answer was no!

I could go on, but I fear this post is starting to sound like one of those happy Christmas letters where everything is Always Great. But, the truth is, everything isn’t always great. So much of life and marriage is hard. Really hard. And so we celebrate the magical, romantic moments; we make memories that will carry us through long afternoons at Chuck E. Cheese and long nights holding sick children. We take time to remember why we committed our lives to each other in the first place, and we give thanks to God for His many good gifts. And at the top of the list? A wonderful sister-in-law and brother-in-law, willing to love on our three boys while we were away, and Grandparents willing to pitch in with carpool and babysitting to make that fantastic slumber party possible. It is no small thing to be able to leave for days at a time, without a single worry about the children. God bless you, one and all! We owe you big time! ☺

18 comments:

I need some coffee said...

Wow, ten years already, how wonderful. We just got back from celebrating my parents 50th Anniversary and memories are everything. Did we talk about the bad times all weekend? No, We talked about all the fun times, Gods miracles and the birth of all the kids. It's a good thing to make memories. Can't wait for your 50th!

Llama Momma said...

Time flies, doesn't it?? Seems like just yesterday your --ahem--little boy was giving me a very special wedding kiss!! :-)

Ted M. Gossard said...

Llama Momma, So nice to hear about the great time you and your husband had on your anniversary trip. Wonderful! Yes, we all need more times like that, or to make sure we have them. I look forward to the next special time my wife and I can get away (this summer, or no later than October- ha).

Llama Momma said...

Ted -- getting away is a good thing!! How long have you and Deb been married? I'm guessing a lot longer than ten years.

My own parents are divorced, and as my husband and I reflected on our growing up years a bit, I realized that I don't have a single memory of my parents ever getting away together. Not even for dinner out.

Another good reason to keep that date night!!!

Anonymous said...

hey!

what a great trip. how awesome. i loved hearing all the details. i'm so glad you were encouraged and refreshed. makes me want to plan my 10 yr. anniversary!

hellolittlepeepers said...

Sounds like an excellent weekend! yay couples massage! I want to do that sometime.

Llama Momma said...

clc - Never too soon to plan the anniversary trip. :-)

Emily - Oh yeah. I LOVED that massage. I had only ever had them in the hospital when I was on bedrest with the twins. Oh, this was like a million times better! They put these hot towels on my feet, and I was in heaven. Seriously. Even the llama papa liked those hot towels...

Jennwith2ns said...

The difference between this post and some of those Always Perfect Christmas letters is that this one was so much fun to read. Thank you for enthusing. It's great--yea, even inspiring.

Llama Momma said...

Jenn - Thank you! That is a high compliment coming from you, oh woman of many stories! :-)

And I'm glad people didn't find it tedious to read. Then again, maybe they're just not leaving comments. ;-)

L.L. Barkat said...

Oh, yeah, the sister- and brother-in-law with the kids... that's the big present here. (And one we hope will keep on giving. :)

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

Llama Momma said...

LL - you said it! And we happily return the favor for them, with their girls. To have family so close, both in proximity and heart, is a gift beyond measure.

Martin Stickland said...

It sounds like you had a great day!!

Sorry about the 'Honey Pot'!

I hope I did not make you blush!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how wonderful to get away. I'm sure it was a great break for you all, and a great chance to reunite when the trip was over. Those boys surely keep you hopping!

I loved the Build-a-Bear post, too. I'm sorry I didn't get there to comment in time. I am learning a lot about motherhood from you!

Llama Momma said...

thank you, Charity, for your kind words. I'm not sure you want to learn about motherhood from me! I'm learning as I go along...

And, Martin. Martin, Martin, Martin...

spaghettipie said...

I loved your post, for a variety of reasons. I'll probably be linking to it in the near future because it goes so well with something I've been pondering...

and happy belated anniversary!

PS - Word verification is: gdivve which looks like godiva to me. very fitting, to the topic, I think.

Llama Momma said...

SP - Thank you! And a link, woo hoo, that always makes me feel much more profound than I actually am!! :-)

23 degrees said...

LM, I checked out the links to the Hilton and Rene's. What great places! Very picturesque! Glad you could not only have time to yourselves, but enjoy the surroundings and warmth.

How inspiring!! (I may steal the idea.)

Happy Anniversary to you and Llama Pappa!

Llama Momma said...

Thanks, 23.

LOVED Sedona. I highly recommend it as a destination -- both with and without kids.