22 years...and going strong

 Before we had kids, our anniversaries were spent traveling to various European country or cities...Paris, France, Holland, Switzerland, (because we lived in Germany), but once we had kids, that changed!   We haven't gone away for a night alone (in the name of our anniversary--and only once other time besides that) since then.   Usually we get away for the night for dinner, and maybe a nightly stroll in the park, but that's it.  

This year, we were bound and determined to have some time with just the two of us.  Our friends, (the Mattson's) took our kids for the night and we slipped away to Leah's Bed and Breakfast  ( In our past, when we didn't have any money for a date night, I'd put the kids to bed a bit early and make a nice dinner and tell Barry that we we're going to Leah's Restaurant for dinner. My fancy name for our make believe getaway.) 
   Okay, so we didn't get away for a romantic night alone in a hotel...but we did have the night alone with out kids sharing our bed with us...and kicking us or their heads in our backs.

So the night of our anniversary we went to dinner at Macado's--a real restaurant of yummy sandwiches and nachos. Plus, we splurged and saw a movie...The Hunger Games.  I've read the book and was so saddened by it that I couldn't bring myself to read the sequels.  But, I've heard such great things about the movie that we decided to watch it.  I'm glad we did, it was great.  We both enjoyed the movie greatly and had lots of good discussion about it at dinner.  I think I'm ready to read the remaining two books in the trilogy and when Barry has time after school ends in a few more months, he'll read it too.

Afterwards, home to our wonderful kid less home....except Ryan, but I was missing my kids so much that I'm glad he was there.  (I'm weird, I need time alone with my husband and away from my dear children, but I miss them when they're not there too)

The next day, rainy and cold, we hopped in the car and took off for Columbia South Carolina Temple.  While traveling, and passing many accidents, we enjoyed time alone talking and discussing our wonderful life...problems, joys and all.  I had the wonderful moments to realize once again how very lucky, blessed and happy I am to have this magnificent man for my eternal companion. He's so kind, generous and patient...really patient with my intense...gotta get it done now--solve this problem go, go go personality.  He's been through enough to know that "why hurry, we'll deal with it when we get there, no reason to stress along the say. No need to hurry up and wait."  (I'm sure the military has instilled that in him.)  I really do love that man!  He's so good for me. 
We discussed politics, school--his and our kids, each of our kids and their needs, projects to complete around the house...our past and our future.

We had a wonderful time enjoying time in the temple, feeling of the spirit.  It's been a while since we've been there...we also made a promise to be back in June.

After a stop or two at some stores, we were on our way home.  Back to the normal hum of life....but together, we wouldn't have it any other way!