Our Anniversary Weekend ~ It Only Gets Better

In catholic church theology marriage is defined as a sacrament instituted by Christ, signifying the union between Christ and the church.  It is a lifelong exclusive partnership between a baptized man and woman, established by mutual consent and ordered toward the good of the spouses, the procreation and education of children and the sanctification of the couple. It is a covenant, a sacred bond and public state of life within the church. 

It is no wonder that July 28, our anniversary feels like one of the most holy days of the year for Scott and I. 

Over the years we have had different kinds of 'days' for our anniversary. There were many, many when our anniversary was just with our girls doing something special and not the two of us alone. Those memories are so precious to us because our anniversary is simply the celebration of the day we started a family. Although we wouldn't become parents for over 8 years of being married, our wedding day was the official day we started a family. 

Recently, Scott and I find ourselves in a transition of life. Our girls are now older and that allows us to have the chance to celebrate a bit differently. 

This year we went away for one night to the cutest little town in Vermont. It was beautiful, peaceful, and delightful. But truly we could have been anywhere. We felt just so blessed, so in love, so close. I will certainly hold this past weekend with me all school year long. I am so grateful to God for our union, for our love, and for our sacrament. 

Here's a peek at our weekend: 

Saturday

We left home at 9 am and headed straight up. It's just about 1 hour and 50 minutes from our home, in southern Vermont. We were so happy listening to our anniversary playlist filled with song after song that makes us feel so happy! 

We text and talk about this moment all school year long, "can't wait to turn on our songs and hang out with you on the way to Vermont!" 💕

Navigation told us it was just 1:57 but we were there in way less than 2 hours. Perfect! 

Made it! Grafton Village, Vermont  Here is an article about this special place. 

Our first stop was the adorable Grafton Village Market (built in 1891) for lunch. I had a creemee (VT term for maple syrup to make things yummy) latte and Scott a blueberry lemonade. We split an amazing sandwich and sat up at the counter overlooking main street. Charming, wonderful, perfection! 

(texted our girls to ask them what waterbottle/laptop stickers they wanted) 

Then we just walked around that little village. We went into the library because they just make me happy. Here's a little peek. 

I especially loved the children's section - lovely collection of classics and lovely picture books. 

It was cozy and charming and made me want to move to that town for some reason. 

Walking around we saw a sign for an Open House so of course we went inside and toured. Could have bought it on the spot... but of course we can't buy a second home. It sure was fun to look! Then we headed to a little shop where Scott bought me the coziest sweatshirt for fall and winter to remember our special time. 

Next we sat outside the Grafton Inn (built in 1801) and just relaxed. 

There is so much to do in this tiny town and someday we will spend 2 nights so we can really hike and explore but we were little 'dressed up' for Mass in a different town and dinner later at the inn. So then we headed about 12 minutes to the town of Chester VT. This another special place to us.

We stayed in Chester for our very first one year anniversary back in 1997

then again with our girls 

then last year. 

Today we walked in some shops and then went to Mass. 

Then back to our Inn for dinner. Here's a little peek at our adorable room: 

Dinner was at Phelps Barn and was amazing! 

Late evening talking to our girls and hanging out in the rockers outside the inn. 

Sunday

Woke up to cozy rain and a country breakfast at the Inn in their garden room. Bright, happy, cozy, and yummy! 

After we checked out the girls begged us to not come home right away. So we went to the town of Manchester, VT to have lunch and shop. 

And we came home to the biggest happy daughter smiles, a "Welcome Home" sign on the door, and fresh baked cookies (and a fully cleaned up kitchen). 

H O M E  was a great feeling too and that night all of us back together was oh so happy. We all watched a movie. Rare for our family to sit like that for a whole movie and boy did it feel good! Scott and I had found all of the places from this movie (Funny Farm). The home is in Grafton (where we stayed). The town scenes are from Townshend, VT. We saw the green and all of it on the way home so it was fun to go home and watch the movie again. 

The girls did awesome! And had so much fun! 

Monday

On Monday it was our actual anniversary so Scott took another vacation day to spend the day at home together. After the girls were off at work, (that's a weird feeling I'm still getting used to), we decided to walk about 5.5 miles to our town center and back home. There is a paved trail off all the roads that we've never walked on. It was more lovely than we thought. 

We went to Hartford Baking Co in the center - split a scone and had a yummy iced drink before walking all the way home. 

It was the very best anniversary ever. I could pinch myself for the joy we share, the life and years we've walked through, the ups, downs, the hard, the hardest... all of it we've done together. I love this boy more than I could say. How it's possible to love him more this year after all of them but I do!